Official Translation
Reading 1 – Lamentations 2.2, 10-14, 18-19
The Lord has swallowed up
all the habitations of Jacob,
and has not pitied:
He has thrown down in his wrath
the strongholds of the daughter of Judah;
He has brought them
down to the ground;
he has profaned
the kingdom and its princes.
The elders of the daughter of Zion
sit on the ground; they keep silence;
they have cast up dust on their heads;
they have clothed themselves with sackcloth:
The virgins of Jerusalem
hang down their heads to the ground.
My eyes do fail with tears, my heart is troubled;
My liver is poured on the earth,
because of the destruction
of the daughter of my people,
Because the young children and the infants
faint in the streets of the city.
They ask their mothers,
“Where is grain and wine?”
When they faint like the wounded
in the streets of the city,
When their soul is poured out
into their mothers’ bosom.
What shall I testify to you?
What shall I liken to you,
daughter of Jerusalem?
What shall I compare to you,
that I may comfort you,
virgin daughter of Zion?
For your breach is great like the sea:
who can heal you?
Your prophets have seen for you
false and foolish visions;
They have not uncovered your iniquity,
to bring back your fortunes,
but have seen for you
false and misleading oracles.
Their heart cried to the Lord:
wail O daughter of Zion.
Let tears run down
like a river day and night;
Give yourself no respite;
Do not let your eye cease.
Arise, cry out in the night,
at the beginning of the watches;
Pour out your heart like water
before the face of the Lord:
Lift up your hands toward him
for the life of your young children,
that faint for hunger
at the head of every street.
Responsorial – Psalm 74.1b-2, 3-5, 6-7, 20-21 Resp. 19b
R. O Lord, forget not the life of your poor forever.
God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old,
which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance;
Mount Zion, on which you have lived.
R. O Lord, forget not the life of your poor forever.
Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins,
all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.
Your adversaries have roared in the middle of your assembly.
They have set up their standards as signs.
They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees.
R. O Lord, forget not the life of your poor forever.
Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers.
They have burned your sanctuary to the ground.
They have profaned the dwelling place of your Name.
R. O Lord, forget not the life of your poor forever.
Honor your covenant,
for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
Do not let the oppressed return ashamed.
Let the poor and needy praise your name.
R. O Lord, forget not the life of your poor forever.
Gospel – Matthew 8.5-17
As Jesus entered into Capernaum,
a centurion came to him,
petitioning him and saying,
“Lord, my servant lies paralyzed at home,
grievously tormented.”
He said to him,
“I will come to heal him.”
The centurion answered saying,
“Lord, I am not worthy that
you enter under my roof,
but only say the word,
and my servant shall be healed.
For I, a human, am under authority.
I have soldiers under me,
and I say to this one,
‘Go!’ and he goes;
and to another,
‘Come!’ and he comes,
and to my servant,
‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Hearing this, Jesus marveled,
and said to those who followed,
“Amen I say unto you:
I have not found such faith.
Not in Israel.
I say to you, many shall
come from the east and west,
and shall sit down to eat with
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
in the kingdom of heaven
but the children of the Kingdom
will be thrown out into the outer darkness.
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus said to the centurion,
“Go your way. Let it be done for you
as you have believed.”
His servant was healed that hour.
When Jesus came into Peter’s house,
he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
He touched her hand, and the fever left her.
She got up and served him.
When evening came,
they brought to him many possessed with demons.
He cast out the spirits with a word,
and healed all who were sick;
that it might be fulfilled
what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.”
Mass Readings
Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles, Mass during the Day
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Acts 12.1-11
About that time, King Herod stretched out his hands
to oppress some of the Church.
He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
When he saw that it pleased the Jews,
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This was during the days of unleavened bread.
When he had arrested him,
he put him in prison,
and delivered him to
four squads of four soldiers each to guard him,
intending to bring him out to the people
after the Passover.
Peter therefore was kept in the prison,
but constant prayer was made
by the Church to God for him.
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out,
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,
bound with two chains.
Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him,
and a light shone in the cell.
He struck Peter on the side,
and woke him up, saying,
“Stand up quickly!”
His chains fell off from his hands.
The angel said to him,
“Get dressed and put on your sandals.”
He did so.
He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.”
And he went out and followed him.
He did not know that
what was being done by the angel was real,
but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second guard,
they came to the iron gate that leads into the city,
which opened to them by itself.
They went out, and went down one street,
and immediately the angel departed from him.
When Peter had come to himself, he said,
“Now I truly know that
the Lord has sent out his angel
and delivered me out of the hand of Herod,
and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
Responsorial - Psalm 34.2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Resp. 8
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
My soul shall boast in the Lord.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Oh magnify the Lord with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Reading 2 – 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18
I, Paul, already am being poured out as a libation,
and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight.
I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith.
From now on, there is stored up for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
will give to me on that day;
and not to me only,
but also to all those
who have longed for his appearance.
The Lord stood by me and strengthened me,
that through me the message
might be fully proclaimed,
and that all the Gentiles might hear;
and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work,
and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom;
to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 16.13-19
When Jesus came into
the region of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples, saying,
“Who do humans say that the Son of Human is?”
They said, “Some say John the Baptist,
some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah,
or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but my Father who is in heaven.
I also tell you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the underworld will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,
and whatever you bind on earth
will have been bound in heaven;
and whatever you release on earth
will be released in heaven.”
Reading 1 – Acts 12.1-11
About that time, King Herod stretched out his hands
to oppress some of the Church.
He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
When he saw that it pleased the Jews,
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
This was during the days of unleavened bread.
When he had arrested him,
he put him in prison,
and delivered him to
four squads of four soldiers each to guard him,
intending to bring him out to the people
after the Passover.
Peter therefore was kept in the prison,
but constant prayer was made
by the Church to God for him.
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out,
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,
bound with two chains.
Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him,
and a light shone in the cell.
He struck Peter on the side,
and woke him up, saying,
“Stand up quickly!”
His chains fell off from his hands.
The angel said to him,
“Get dressed and put on your sandals.”
He did so.
He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.”
And he went out and followed him.
He did not know that
what was being done by the angel was real,
but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second guard,
they came to the iron gate that leads into the city,
which opened to them by itself.
They went out, and went down one street,
and immediately the angel departed from him.
When Peter had come to himself, he said,
“Now I truly know that
the Lord has sent out his angel
and delivered me out of the hand of Herod,
and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
Responsorial - Psalm 34.2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Resp. 8
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
My soul shall boast in the Lord.
The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Oh magnify the Lord with me.
Let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Reading 2 – 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 17-18
I, Paul, already am being poured out as a libation,
and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight.
I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith.
From now on, there is stored up for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
will give to me on that day;
and not to me only,
but also to all those
who have longed for his appearance.
The Lord stood by me and strengthened me,
that through me the message
might be fully proclaimed,
and that all the Gentiles might hear;
and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work,
and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom;
to him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel – Matthew 16.13-19
When Jesus came into
the region of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples, saying,
“Who do humans say that the Son of Human is?”
They said, “Some say John the Baptist,
some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah,
or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but my Father who is in heaven.
I also tell you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the underworld will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,
and whatever you bind on earth
will have been bound in heaven;
and whatever you release on earth
will be released in heaven.”
Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles at the Vigil Mass
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Acts 3.1-10
Peter and John were going up into the temple
at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
A certain man who was
crippled from his mother’s womb
was carried and laid daily
at the gate of the temple called “Beautiful”,
to ask beg for alms from those who entered the temple.
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked to receive alms.
Peter, fastening his eyes on him, together with John, said,
“Look at us.”
He listened to them,
expecting to receive something from them.
But Peter said, “Of silver and gold I have none,
but what I have I give you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
get up and walk!”
He took him by the right hand and raised him up.
Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.
Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk.
He entered with them into the temple,
walking, leaping, and praising God.
All the people saw him walking and praising God.
They recognized him,
that it was he who used to sit
begging for alms
at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.
They were filled with wonder and amazement
at what had happened to him.
Responsorial – Psalm 19.2-3, 4-5 Resp. 5
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
The heavens show forth the glory of God,
and the firmament declares the work of his hands.
Day to day utters speech,
and night to night shows knowledge.
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
There are no speeches nor languages,
in which their voices are not heard.
Their sound has gone forth through all the earth,
and their words unto the ends of the world.
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
Reading 2 – Galatians 1.11-20
I make known to you, brothers and sisters,
concerning the Gospel which was preached by me,
that it does not come from humans.
For neither did I receive it from a human,
nor was I taught it,
but it came to me through
revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of
my way of living in time past
in the Jewish religion,
how I, beyond measure,
persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it.
I advanced in the Jewish religion
beyond many of my own age
among my countrymen,
being more exceedingly zealous
for the traditions of my fathers.
But when it was the good pleasure of God,
who set me apart from my mother’s womb,
and called me through his grace,
to reveal his Son to me,
that I might preach him among the Gentiles,
I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were Apostles before me,
but I went away into Arabia.
Then I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to visit Kephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
But of the other Apostles I saw no one,
except James, the Lord’s brother.
Now about the things which I write to you,
behold, before God, I am not lying.
Gospel – John 21.15-19
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples,
when they had eaten their breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John,
do you love me more than these?”
He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He said to him again a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John,
do you have affection for me?”
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time,
“Do you have affection for me?”
He said to him, “Lord, you know everything.
You know that I have affection for you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I tell you,
when you were young,
you dressed yourself
and walked where you wanted to.
But when you are old,
you will stretch out your hands,
and another will dress you
and carry you where you do not want to go.”
Now he said this signifying
by what kind of death he would glorify God.
When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reading 1 – Acts 3.1-10
Peter and John were going up into the temple
at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
A certain man who was
crippled from his mother’s womb
was carried and laid daily
at the gate of the temple called “Beautiful”,
to ask beg for alms from those who entered the temple.
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked to receive alms.
Peter, fastening his eyes on him, together with John, said,
“Look at us.”
He listened to them,
expecting to receive something from them.
But Peter said, “Of silver and gold I have none,
but what I have I give you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
get up and walk!”
He took him by the right hand and raised him up.
Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.
Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk.
He entered with them into the temple,
walking, leaping, and praising God.
All the people saw him walking and praising God.
They recognized him,
that it was he who used to sit
begging for alms
at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.
They were filled with wonder and amazement
at what had happened to him.
Responsorial – Psalm 19.2-3, 4-5 Resp. 5
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
The heavens show forth the glory of God,
and the firmament declares the work of his hands.
Day to day utters speech,
and night to night shows knowledge.
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
There are no speeches nor languages,
in which their voices are not heard.
Their sound has gone forth through all the earth,
and their words unto the ends of the world.
R. Their sound has gone forth through all the earth.
Reading 2 – Galatians 1.11-20
I make known to you, brothers and sisters,
concerning the Gospel which was preached by me,
that it does not come from humans.
For neither did I receive it from a human,
nor was I taught it,
but it came to me through
revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of
my way of living in time past
in the Jewish religion,
how I, beyond measure,
persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it.
I advanced in the Jewish religion
beyond many of my own age
among my countrymen,
being more exceedingly zealous
for the traditions of my fathers.
But when it was the good pleasure of God,
who set me apart from my mother’s womb,
and called me through his grace,
to reveal his Son to me,
that I might preach him among the Gentiles,
I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were Apostles before me,
but I went away into Arabia.
Then I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem
to visit Kephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
But of the other Apostles I saw no one,
except James, the Lord’s brother.
Now about the things which I write to you,
behold, before God, I am not lying.
Gospel – John 21.15-19
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples,
when they had eaten their breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John,
do you love me more than these?”
He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He said to him again a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John,
do you have affection for me?”
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time,
“Do you have affection for me?”
He said to him, “Lord, you know everything.
You know that I have affection for you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I tell you,
when you were young,
you dressed yourself
and walked where you wanted to.
But when you are old,
you will stretch out your hands,
and another will dress you
and carry you where you do not want to go.”
Now he said this signifying
by what kind of death he would glorify God.
When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 24.8-17
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old
when he began to reign;
and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.
His mother’s name was Nehushta
the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,
according to all that his father had done.
At that time the servants
of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
came up to Jerusalem,
and the city was besieged.
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city,
while his servants were besieging it;
and Jehoiachin the king of Judah
went out to the king of Babylon,
he, and his mother, and his servants,
and his princes, and his officers:
and the king of Babylon took him
in the eighth year of his reign.
He carried out of there
all the treasures of the Lord’s house,
and the treasures of the king’s house,
and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold,
which Solomon king of Israel
had made in the Lord’s temple,
as the Lord had said.
He carried away all Jerusalem,
and all the princes,
and all the mighty men of valor,
ten thousand captives,
and all the craftsmen and the smiths;
no one remained,
except the poorest people of the land.
He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon;
and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives,
and his officers, and the chief men of the land,
he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
All the men of might, seven thousand,
and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand,
all of them strong and apt for war,
all of them the king of Babylon
brought captive to Babylon.
The king of Babylon made Mattaniah,
Jehoiachin’s father’s brother, king in his place,
and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Responsorial – Psalm 79.1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 Resp. 9
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
God, the nations have come into your inheritance.
They have defiled your holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants
to be food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Their blood they have shed like water
around Jerusalem.
There was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us.
Let your tender mercies speedily meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Help us, God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name.
Deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 7.21-29
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but the doer of the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will tell me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
in your name cast out demons,
and in your name do many mighty works?’
Then I will tell them,
‘I never knew you.
Depart from me, you evildoers.’
All, therefore who hear these my words and do them,
is like a wise man, who built his house on the rock.
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it did not fall
for it was founded on the rock.
And all the hearers of these my words,
who do not do them,
is like a foolish man,
who built his house upon the sand:
The rain fell; the floods came;
and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it fell and great was the fall of it.
When Jesus had finished saying these things,
the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them with authority,
not like the scribes.
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 24.8-17
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old
when he began to reign;
and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.
His mother’s name was Nehushta
the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,
according to all that his father had done.
At that time the servants
of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
came up to Jerusalem,
and the city was besieged.
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city,
while his servants were besieging it;
and Jehoiachin the king of Judah
went out to the king of Babylon,
he, and his mother, and his servants,
and his princes, and his officers:
and the king of Babylon took him
in the eighth year of his reign.
He carried out of there
all the treasures of the Lord’s house,
and the treasures of the king’s house,
and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold,
which Solomon king of Israel
had made in the Lord’s temple,
as the Lord had said.
He carried away all Jerusalem,
and all the princes,
and all the mighty men of valor,
ten thousand captives,
and all the craftsmen and the smiths;
no one remained,
except the poorest people of the land.
He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon;
and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives,
and his officers, and the chief men of the land,
he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
All the men of might, seven thousand,
and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand,
all of them strong and apt for war,
all of them the king of Babylon
brought captive to Babylon.
The king of Babylon made Mattaniah,
Jehoiachin’s father’s brother, king in his place,
and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Responsorial – Psalm 79.1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 Resp. 9
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
God, the nations have come into your inheritance.
They have defiled your holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
They have given the dead bodies of your servants
to be food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Their blood they have shed like water
around Jerusalem.
There was no one to bury them.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Do not hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us.
Let your tender mercies speedily meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Help us, God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name.
Deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake.
R. For the glory of your name, deliver us O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 7.21-29
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but the doer of the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will tell me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
in your name cast out demons,
and in your name do many mighty works?’
Then I will tell them,
‘I never knew you.
Depart from me, you evildoers.’
All, therefore who hear these my words and do them,
is like a wise man, who built his house on the rock.
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it did not fall
for it was founded on the rock.
And all the hearers of these my words,
who do not do them,
is like a foolish man,
who built his house upon the sand:
The rain fell; the floods came;
and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it fell and great was the fall of it.
When Jesus had finished saying these things,
the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them with authority,
not like the scribes.
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Hilkiah the high priest
said to Shaphan the scribe,
“I have found the book of the law
in the Lord’s house.”
Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan,
and he read it.
Shaphan the scribe came to the king,
and brought the king word and said,
“Your servants have emptied out
the money that was found in the house,
and have delivered it into
the hand of the workmen
who have the oversight of the Lord’s house.”
Shaphan the scribe also told the king, saying,
“Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.”
Shaphan read it before the king.
When the king had heard
the words of the book of the law,
he tore his clothes.
The king commanded Hilkiah the priest,
and Ahikam the son of Shaphan,
and Achbor the son of Micaiah,
and Shaphan the scribe,
and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
“Go inquire of the Lord for me,
and for the people and for all Judah,
concerning the words of this book
that is found;
for great is the wrath of the Lord
that is kindled against us,
because our fathers have not listened
to the words of this book,
to do according to all
that which is written concerning us.”
The king sent and gathered to him
all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
The king went up to the Lord’s house,
and all the men of Judah
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him,
and the priests, and the prophets,
and all the people both small and great:
and he read in their ears
all the words of the book of the covenant
which was found in the Lord’s house.
The king stood by the pillar,
and made a covenant before the Lord,
to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments,
and his testimonies, and his statutes,
with all his heart, and all his soul,
to confirm the words of this covenant
that were written in this book:
and all the people stood to the covenant.
Responsorial – Psalm 119.33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40 Resp. 33a
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
I will keep them to the end.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law.
Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Direct me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in them.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Turn my heart toward your statutes,
not toward selfish gain.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things.
Revive me in your ways.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Behold, I long for your precepts!
Revive me in your righteousness.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Gospel – Matthew 7.15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of false prophets,
who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly are ravening wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do you gather grapes from thorns,
or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree produces beautiful fruit;
but the rotten tree produces worthless fruit.
A good tree cannot produce worthless fruit,
neither can a rotten tree produce beautiful fruit.
Every tree that does not produce beautiful fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Hilkiah the high priest
said to Shaphan the scribe,
“I have found the book of the law
in the Lord’s house.”
Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan,
and he read it.
Shaphan the scribe came to the king,
and brought the king word and said,
“Your servants have emptied out
the money that was found in the house,
and have delivered it into
the hand of the workmen
who have the oversight of the Lord’s house.”
Shaphan the scribe also told the king, saying,
“Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.”
Shaphan read it before the king.
When the king had heard
the words of the book of the law,
he tore his clothes.
The king commanded Hilkiah the priest,
and Ahikam the son of Shaphan,
and Achbor the son of Micaiah,
and Shaphan the scribe,
and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
“Go inquire of the Lord for me,
and for the people and for all Judah,
concerning the words of this book
that is found;
for great is the wrath of the Lord
that is kindled against us,
because our fathers have not listened
to the words of this book,
to do according to all
that which is written concerning us.”
The king sent and gathered to him
all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
The king went up to the Lord’s house,
and all the men of Judah
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him,
and the priests, and the prophets,
and all the people both small and great:
and he read in their ears
all the words of the book of the covenant
which was found in the Lord’s house.
The king stood by the pillar,
and made a covenant before the Lord,
to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments,
and his testimonies, and his statutes,
with all his heart, and all his soul,
to confirm the words of this covenant
that were written in this book:
and all the people stood to the covenant.
Responsorial – Psalm 119.33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40 Resp. 33a
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
I will keep them to the end.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law.
Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Direct me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in them.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Turn my heart toward your statutes,
not toward selfish gain.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things.
Revive me in your ways.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Behold, I long for your precepts!
Revive me in your righteousness.
R. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Gospel – Matthew 7.15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of false prophets,
who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly are ravening wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do you gather grapes from thorns,
or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree produces beautiful fruit;
but the rotten tree produces worthless fruit.
A good tree cannot produce worthless fruit,
neither can a rotten tree produce beautiful fruit.
Every tree that does not produce beautiful fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 19.9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36
Sennacherib, king of Assyria,
sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,
‘Thus you shall say to Hezekiah king of Judah:
“Do not let your God in whom you trust
deceive you, saying,
Jerusalem will not be given
into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Behold, you have heard what
the kings of Assyria have done to all lands,
by destroying them utterly. Will you be delivered?
Hezekiah received the letter
from the hand of the messengers, and read it.
Then Hezekiah went up to the Lord’s house,
and spread it before the Lord.
Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said,
“O Lord, God of Israel, who sit above the cherubim,
you are the God, you alone,
of all the kingdoms of the earth.
You have made heaven and earth.
Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear.
Open your eyes, O Lord, and see.
Hear the words of Sennacherib,
which he has sent to defy the living God.
Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria
have laid waste the nations and their lands,
and have cast their gods into the fire;
for they were no gods,
but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone.
Therefore they have destroyed them.
Now therefore, O Lord our God,
save us, I beg you, out of his hand,
that all the kingdoms of the earth
may know that you, the Lord, are God alone.”
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying,
“The Lord says, the God of Israel,
‘Since you have prayed to me
against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’
This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him:
“The virgin daughter of Zion
has despised you and ridiculed you.
The daughter of Jerusalem
has shaken her head at you.
For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go out,
and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape.
The zeal of the Lord will perform this.’
“Therefore the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria,
‘He shall not come to this city,
nor shoot an arrow there,
nor shall he come before it with shield,
nor cast up a mound against it.
By the way that he came, the same way shall he return,
and he shall not come to this city,’ says the Lord.
‘For I will defend this city to save it,
for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.’”
That night, the Lord’s angel went out,
and struck one hundred eighty-five thousand
in the camp of the Assyrians.
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed,
and went and returned, and lived at Nineveh.
Responsorial – Psalm 48.2-3ab, 3cd-4, 10-11 Resp. 9d
R. God will establish his city forever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God,
in his holy mountain, beautiful on the heights,
the joy of the whole earth.
R. God will establish his city forever.
Mount Zion, in the far north,
the city of the great King.
God has shown himself in her citadels
as a refuge.
R. God will establish his city forever.
We have thought about your loving kindness, God,
in the middle of your temple.
As is your name, God, so is your praise
to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
R. God will establish his city forever.
Gospel – Matthew 7.6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs,
nor throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet,
and turn and tear you to pieces.
Therefore whatever you desire
for humans to do to you,
do also to them;
for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter in by the narrow gate;
for wide is the gate and broad is the way
that leads to destruction,
and many are those who enter in by it.
How narrow is the gate
and restricted is the way that leads to life!
those who find it are few.”
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 19.9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36
Sennacherib, king of Assyria,
sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,
‘Thus you shall say to Hezekiah king of Judah:
“Do not let your God in whom you trust
deceive you, saying,
Jerusalem will not be given
into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Behold, you have heard what
the kings of Assyria have done to all lands,
by destroying them utterly. Will you be delivered?
Hezekiah received the letter
from the hand of the messengers, and read it.
Then Hezekiah went up to the Lord’s house,
and spread it before the Lord.
Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said,
“O Lord, God of Israel, who sit above the cherubim,
you are the God, you alone,
of all the kingdoms of the earth.
You have made heaven and earth.
Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear.
Open your eyes, O Lord, and see.
Hear the words of Sennacherib,
which he has sent to defy the living God.
Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria
have laid waste the nations and their lands,
and have cast their gods into the fire;
for they were no gods,
but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone.
Therefore they have destroyed them.
Now therefore, O Lord our God,
save us, I beg you, out of his hand,
that all the kingdoms of the earth
may know that you, the Lord, are God alone.”
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying,
“The Lord says, the God of Israel,
‘Since you have prayed to me
against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’
This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him:
“The virgin daughter of Zion
has despised you and ridiculed you.
The daughter of Jerusalem
has shaken her head at you.
For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go out,
and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape.
The zeal of the Lord will perform this.’
“Therefore the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria,
‘He shall not come to this city,
nor shoot an arrow there,
nor shall he come before it with shield,
nor cast up a mound against it.
By the way that he came, the same way shall he return,
and he shall not come to this city,’ says the Lord.
‘For I will defend this city to save it,
for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.’”
That night, the Lord’s angel went out,
and struck one hundred eighty-five thousand
in the camp of the Assyrians.
So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed,
and went and returned, and lived at Nineveh.
Responsorial – Psalm 48.2-3ab, 3cd-4, 10-11 Resp. 9d
R. God will establish his city forever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God,
in his holy mountain, beautiful on the heights,
the joy of the whole earth.
R. God will establish his city forever.
Mount Zion, in the far north,
the city of the great King.
God has shown himself in her citadels
as a refuge.
R. God will establish his city forever.
We have thought about your loving kindness, God,
in the middle of your temple.
As is your name, God, so is your praise
to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
R. God will establish his city forever.
Gospel – Matthew 7.6, 12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs,
nor throw your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet,
and turn and tear you to pieces.
Therefore whatever you desire
for humans to do to you,
do also to them;
for this is the law and the prophets.
Enter in by the narrow gate;
for wide is the gate and broad is the way
that leads to destruction,
and many are those who enter in by it.
How narrow is the gate
and restricted is the way that leads to life!
those who find it are few.”
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 17.5-8, 13-15a, 18
Shalmaneser king of Assyria
came up throughout all the land,
and went up to Samaria,
and besieged it three years.
In the ninth year of Hoshea, king of Israel,
the king of Assyria took Samaria,
and carried Israel away to Assyria,
and placed them in Halah,
and on the Habor, the river of Gozan,
and in the cities of the Medes.
This happened because
the children of Israel had sinned
against the Lord their God,
who brought them up out of the land of Egypt
from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt,
and had feared other gods,
and walked in the statutes of
the nations whom the Lord cast out from
before the children of Israel,
and of the kings of Israel which they made.
Though the Lord testified to Israel and to Judah,
by every prophet and every seer, saying,
“Turn from your evil ways
and keep my commandments and my statutes,
according to all the law
which I commanded your fathers,
and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
Nevertheless they would not listen,
but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers,
who did not believe in the Lord their God.
They rejected his statutes,
and his covenant that he made with their fathers,
and his testimonies which he testified to them;
therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel,
and removed them out of his sight:
there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
Responsorial – Psalm 60.3, 4-5, 12-13 Resp. 7b
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down.
You have been angry. Restore us, again.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
You have made the land tremble. You have torn it.
Mend its fractures, for it quakes.
You have shown your people hard things.
You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
Have you, O God, not rejected us?
You do not go out with our armies, God.
Give us help against the adversary,
for the help of man is vain.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 7.1-5
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Judge not lest you be judged.
For with whatever judgment you judge,
you will be judged;
and with whatever measure you measure,
it will be measured to you.
Why do you see the speck
that is in your brother’s eye,
but do not consider the beam
that is in your own eye?
How will you tell your brother,
‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’
and behold, the beam is in your eye?
You hypocrite!
First remove the beam out of your own eye,
and then you can see clearly
to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 17.5-8, 13-15a, 18
Shalmaneser king of Assyria
came up throughout all the land,
and went up to Samaria,
and besieged it three years.
In the ninth year of Hoshea, king of Israel,
the king of Assyria took Samaria,
and carried Israel away to Assyria,
and placed them in Halah,
and on the Habor, the river of Gozan,
and in the cities of the Medes.
This happened because
the children of Israel had sinned
against the Lord their God,
who brought them up out of the land of Egypt
from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt,
and had feared other gods,
and walked in the statutes of
the nations whom the Lord cast out from
before the children of Israel,
and of the kings of Israel which they made.
Though the Lord testified to Israel and to Judah,
by every prophet and every seer, saying,
“Turn from your evil ways
and keep my commandments and my statutes,
according to all the law
which I commanded your fathers,
and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
Nevertheless they would not listen,
but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers,
who did not believe in the Lord their God.
They rejected his statutes,
and his covenant that he made with their fathers,
and his testimonies which he testified to them;
therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel,
and removed them out of his sight:
there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
Responsorial – Psalm 60.3, 4-5, 12-13 Resp. 7b
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down.
You have been angry. Restore us, again.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
You have made the land tremble. You have torn it.
Mend its fractures, for it quakes.
You have shown your people hard things.
You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
Have you, O God, not rejected us?
You do not go out with our armies, God.
Give us help against the adversary,
for the help of man is vain.
R. Save with your right hand, and answer us, O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 7.1-5
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Judge not lest you be judged.
For with whatever judgment you judge,
you will be judged;
and with whatever measure you measure,
it will be measured to you.
Why do you see the speck
that is in your brother’s eye,
but do not consider the beam
that is in your own eye?
How will you tell your brother,
‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’
and behold, the beam is in your eye?
You hypocrite!
First remove the beam out of your own eye,
and then you can see clearly
to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist during the Day
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 49.1-6
Listen, islands, to me;
and listen, you far off peoples:
the Lord has called me from the womb;
from the inner place of my mother
has he called me by name:
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me:
and he has made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver has he kept me close:
and he said to me,
“You are my servant; Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.”
Though I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing”,
yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.
Now the Lord,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and that Israel be gathered to him.
I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength.
Indeed, he says,
“It is too light a thing that
you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
Responsorial – Psalm 139.1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Resp. 14
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My soul you know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Reading 2 – Acts 13.22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God raised up David to be their king,
to whom he also testified,
‘I have found David the son of Jesse,
a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
From this man’s seed, according to his promise,
God has brought a Savior, Jesus, to Israel.
Before his coming, John had first preached
the baptism of repentance to Israel.
As John was fulfilling his course, he said,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
But behold, one comes after me
the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Men. Brothers. Children of Abraham.
And whoever among you fears God:
To you the word of salvation is sent.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66, 80
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew
and was strengthened in spirit,
and was in the deserts
until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Reading 1 – Isaiah 49.1-6
Listen, islands, to me;
and listen, you far off peoples:
the Lord has called me from the womb;
from the inner place of my mother
has he called me by name:
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me:
and he has made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver has he kept me close:
and he said to me,
“You are my servant; Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.”
Though I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing”,
yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.
Now the Lord,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and that Israel be gathered to him.
I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength.
Indeed, he says,
“It is too light a thing that
you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
Responsorial – Psalm 139.1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Resp. 14
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My soul you know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Reading 2 – Acts 13.22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God raised up David to be their king,
to whom he also testified,
‘I have found David the son of Jesse,
a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
From this man’s seed, according to his promise,
God has brought a Savior, Jesus, to Israel.
Before his coming, John had first preached
the baptism of repentance to Israel.
As John was fulfilling his course, he said,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
But behold, one comes after me
the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Men. Brothers. Children of Abraham.
And whoever among you fears God:
To you the word of salvation is sent.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66, 80
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew
and was strengthened in spirit,
and was in the deserts
until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist at the Vigil Mass
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 1.4-10
In the days of King Josiah,
the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I dedicated you.
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
hen I said, “Ah, Lord. O Lord! Behold,
I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am too young’
for you must go to whomever I send you,
and you must say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid because of them,
for I am with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand
and touched my mouth.
Then the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Behold, I have this day
set you over the nations
and over the kingdoms,
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Responsorial – Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 Resp. 6
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
In you, the Lord, I take refuge.
Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me.
Turn your ear to me, and save me.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a safe stronghold.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my confidence from my youth.
I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness,
and of your salvation all day,
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Reading 2 – 1 Peter 1.8-12
Beloved:
Not having known him, you love;
though now you do not see him,
yet believing, you rejoice greatly
with joy unspeakable and full of glory
receiving the result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
the prophets sought and searched diligently,
those who prophesied
of the grace that would come to you,
searching for who or what kind of time
the Spirit of Christ in them pointed to,
when it predicted the sufferings of Christ,
and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed,
that not to themselves, but to you,
they ministered these things,
which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the Gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven;
which things angels desire to look into.
Gospel – Luke 1.5-17
There was in the days
of Herod, the king of Judea,
a certain priest named Zachariah,
of the priestly division of Abijah.
He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous before God,
walking blamelessly in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were well advanced in years.
Now it happened, while he fulfilled the priestly office
before God according to his division,
according to the custom of the priestly office,
it was his lot
to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
The whole multitude of the people
were praying outside at the hour of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Zachariah was troubled when he saw him,
and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zachariah,
because your request has been heard.
Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
You will have joy and gladness;
and many will rejoice at his birth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink no wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother’s womb.
He will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord, their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,’
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 1.4-10
In the days of King Josiah,
the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I dedicated you.
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
hen I said, “Ah, Lord. O Lord! Behold,
I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am too young’
for you must go to whomever I send you,
and you must say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid because of them,
for I am with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand
and touched my mouth.
Then the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Behold, I have this day
set you over the nations
and over the kingdoms,
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Responsorial – Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 Resp. 6
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
In you, the Lord, I take refuge.
Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me.
Turn your ear to me, and save me.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a safe stronghold.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my confidence from my youth.
I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness,
and of your salvation all day,
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Reading 2 – 1 Peter 1.8-12
Beloved:
Not having known him, you love;
though now you do not see him,
yet believing, you rejoice greatly
with joy unspeakable and full of glory
receiving the result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
the prophets sought and searched diligently,
those who prophesied
of the grace that would come to you,
searching for who or what kind of time
the Spirit of Christ in them pointed to,
when it predicted the sufferings of Christ,
and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed,
that not to themselves, but to you,
they ministered these things,
which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the Gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven;
which things angels desire to look into.
Gospel – Luke 1.5-17
There was in the days
of Herod, the king of Judea,
a certain priest named Zachariah,
of the priestly division of Abijah.
He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous before God,
walking blamelessly in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were well advanced in years.
Now it happened, while he fulfilled the priestly office
before God according to his division,
according to the custom of the priestly office,
it was his lot
to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
The whole multitude of the people
were praying outside at the hour of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Zachariah was troubled when he saw him,
and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zachariah,
because your request has been heard.
Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
You will have joy and gladness;
and many will rejoice at his birth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink no wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother’s womb.
He will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord, their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,’
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”
Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Chronicles 24.17-25
After the death of Jehoiada,
the princes of Judah came
and made obeisance to King Joash.
Then the king listened to them.
They abandoned the house of the Lord,
the God of their fathers,
and served the Asherah poles and the idols;
and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem
for this their guiltiness.
Yet he sent prophets to them,
to bring them again to the Lord;
and they testified against them:
but they would not give ear.
The Spirit of God came on
Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest;
and he stood above the people, and said to them,
“Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey
the Lord’s commandments,
so that you cannot prosper?
Because you have forsaken the Lord,
he has also forsaken you.’”
They conspired against him,
and stoned him with stones
at the commandment of the king
in the court of the Lord’s house.
Thus Joash the king did not remember
the kindness which Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father,
had done to him, but killed his son.
When he died, he said,
“May the Lord look at it, and repay it.”
At the end of the year,
the army of the Syrians came up against him:
and they came to Judah and Jerusalem,
and destroyed all the princes of the people
from among the people,
and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus.
Though the army of the Syrians
came with a small company of men;
the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand,
because Judah had forsaken
the Lord, the God of their fathers.
So they executed judgment on Joash.
When they were departed from him
for they left him very sick,
his own servants conspired against him
for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest,
and killed him on his bed, and he died;
and they buried him in the city of David,
but they did nott bury him in the tombs of the kings.
Responsorial – Psalm 89.4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34 Resp. 29a
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.
I will also make his offspring endure forever,
and his throne as the days of heaven.
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
If his sons forsake my law,
and do not walk in my commandments,
if they break my statutes,
and do not keep my commandments;
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
Then I will punish their sin with the rod,
and their iniquity with stripes.
But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him,
nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
Gospel – Matthew 6.24-34
Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters,
for either he will hate the one
and love the other;
or else he will be devoted to one
and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Mammon.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious for your life:
what you will eat, or what you will drink;
nor yet for your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?
See the birds of the sky.
They do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns.
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of much more value than they?
“Which of you, by being anxious,
can add one moment to his lifespan?
Why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.
They do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I tell you that even
Solomon in all his glory
was not dressed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today exists, and tomorrow
is thrown into the oven,
will he not much more clothe you,
you of little faith?
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying,
‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’
or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things;
but your heavenly Father knows
that you need all these things.
But seek first the Kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and all these things
will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Each day’s own evil is enough.
Reading 1 – 2 Chronicles 24.17-25
After the death of Jehoiada,
the princes of Judah came
and made obeisance to King Joash.
Then the king listened to them.
They abandoned the house of the Lord,
the God of their fathers,
and served the Asherah poles and the idols;
and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem
for this their guiltiness.
Yet he sent prophets to them,
to bring them again to the Lord;
and they testified against them:
but they would not give ear.
The Spirit of God came on
Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest;
and he stood above the people, and said to them,
“Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey
the Lord’s commandments,
so that you cannot prosper?
Because you have forsaken the Lord,
he has also forsaken you.’”
They conspired against him,
and stoned him with stones
at the commandment of the king
in the court of the Lord’s house.
Thus Joash the king did not remember
the kindness which Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father,
had done to him, but killed his son.
When he died, he said,
“May the Lord look at it, and repay it.”
At the end of the year,
the army of the Syrians came up against him:
and they came to Judah and Jerusalem,
and destroyed all the princes of the people
from among the people,
and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus.
Though the army of the Syrians
came with a small company of men;
the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand,
because Judah had forsaken
the Lord, the God of their fathers.
So they executed judgment on Joash.
When they were departed from him
for they left him very sick,
his own servants conspired against him
for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest,
and killed him on his bed, and he died;
and they buried him in the city of David,
but they did nott bury him in the tombs of the kings.
Responsorial – Psalm 89.4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34 Resp. 29a
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.
I will also make his offspring endure forever,
and his throne as the days of heaven.
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
If his sons forsake my law,
and do not walk in my commandments,
if they break my statutes,
and do not keep my commandments;
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
Then I will punish their sin with the rod,
and their iniquity with stripes.
But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him,
nor allow my faithfulness to fail.
R. I will make my love for my servant endure forever.
Gospel – Matthew 6.24-34
Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters,
for either he will hate the one
and love the other;
or else he will be devoted to one
and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Mammon.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious for your life:
what you will eat, or what you will drink;
nor yet for your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?
See the birds of the sky.
They do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns.
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of much more value than they?
“Which of you, by being anxious,
can add one moment to his lifespan?
Why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.
They do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I tell you that even
Solomon in all his glory
was not dressed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today exists, and tomorrow
is thrown into the oven,
will he not much more clothe you,
you of little faith?
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying,
‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’
or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things;
but your heavenly Father knows
that you need all these things.
But seek first the Kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and all these things
will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Each day’s own evil is enough.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 11.1-4, 9-18, 20
When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah,
saw that her son was dead,
she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram,
sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah,
and stole him away from among
the king’s sons who were slain,
even him and his nurse,
and put them in the bedroom;
and they hid him from Athaliah,
so that he was not slain;
He was hidden with her
in the Lord’s house for six years.
Athaliah reigned over the land.
In the seventh year,
Jehoiada sent and fetched
the captains of the Carites
and of the guard,
and brought them to him
into the Lord’s house;
and he made a covenant with them,
and took an oath of them in the Lord’s house,
and showed them the king’s son.
The captains did according to all
that Jehoiada the priest commanded;
and they took every man his men,
those who were to come in on the Sabbath,
with those who were to go out on the Sabbath,
and came to Jehoiada the priest.
The priest delivered to the captains
the spears and shields that had been King David’s,
which were in the Lord’s house.
The guard stood,
every man with his weapons in his hand,
from the right side of the house
to the left side of the house,
along by the altar and the house,
around the king.
Then he brought out the king’s son,
and put the crown on him,
and gave him the testimony;
and they made him king,
and anointed him;
and they clapped their hands,
and said, “Long live the king!”
When Athaliah heard the noise
of the guard and of the people,
she came to the people into the Lord’s house:
and she looked, and behold,
the king stood by the pillar,
as the tradition was,
and the captains and the trumpets by the king;
and all the people of the land
rejoiced and blew trumpets.
Then Athaliah tore her clothes
and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
Jehoiada the priest commanded
the captains who were set over the army,
and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks.
Kill him who follows her with the sword.”
For the priest said,
“Do not let her be slain in the Lord’s house.”
So they made way for her;
and she went by the way of the horse gate
to the king’s house.
She was slain there.
Jehoiada made a covenant
between the Lord and the king and the people,
that they should be the Lord’s people;
between the king also and the people.
All the people of the land
went to the house of Baal and broke it down;
his altars and his images
they smashed in pieces thoroughly,
and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
The priest appointed officers over the Lord’s house.
So all the people of the land rejoiced,
and the city was quiet.
Athaliah they had slain with the sword
at the king’s house.
Responsorial – Psalm 132.11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 Resp. 13
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
The Lord has sworn to David in truth.
He will not turn from it:
“I will set the fruit of your body
on your throne.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
“If your sons will keep my covenant,
my testimony that I will teach them,
their sons also
will sit on your throne forevermore.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
For the Lord has chosen Zion.
He has desired it for his dwelling.
“This is my resting place forever.
Here I will live, for I have desired it.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
“There I will make the horn of David to bud.
I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but on him, his crown will be resplendent.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
Gospel – Matthew 6.19-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not lay up treasures
for yourselves on the earth,
where moth and rust consume,
and where thieves
break through and steal;
but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consume,
and where thieves do not
break through and steal;
for where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
The lamp of the body is the eye.
If therefore your eye is sound,
your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eye is evil,
your whole body will be full of darkness.
If therefore the light that is in you is darkness,
how great is the darkness!”
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 11.1-4, 9-18, 20
When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah,
saw that her son was dead,
she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram,
sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah,
and stole him away from among
the king’s sons who were slain,
even him and his nurse,
and put them in the bedroom;
and they hid him from Athaliah,
so that he was not slain;
He was hidden with her
in the Lord’s house for six years.
Athaliah reigned over the land.
In the seventh year,
Jehoiada sent and fetched
the captains of the Carites
and of the guard,
and brought them to him
into the Lord’s house;
and he made a covenant with them,
and took an oath of them in the Lord’s house,
and showed them the king’s son.
The captains did according to all
that Jehoiada the priest commanded;
and they took every man his men,
those who were to come in on the Sabbath,
with those who were to go out on the Sabbath,
and came to Jehoiada the priest.
The priest delivered to the captains
the spears and shields that had been King David’s,
which were in the Lord’s house.
The guard stood,
every man with his weapons in his hand,
from the right side of the house
to the left side of the house,
along by the altar and the house,
around the king.
Then he brought out the king’s son,
and put the crown on him,
and gave him the testimony;
and they made him king,
and anointed him;
and they clapped their hands,
and said, “Long live the king!”
When Athaliah heard the noise
of the guard and of the people,
she came to the people into the Lord’s house:
and she looked, and behold,
the king stood by the pillar,
as the tradition was,
and the captains and the trumpets by the king;
and all the people of the land
rejoiced and blew trumpets.
Then Athaliah tore her clothes
and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
Jehoiada the priest commanded
the captains who were set over the army,
and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks.
Kill him who follows her with the sword.”
For the priest said,
“Do not let her be slain in the Lord’s house.”
So they made way for her;
and she went by the way of the horse gate
to the king’s house.
She was slain there.
Jehoiada made a covenant
between the Lord and the king and the people,
that they should be the Lord’s people;
between the king also and the people.
All the people of the land
went to the house of Baal and broke it down;
his altars and his images
they smashed in pieces thoroughly,
and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
The priest appointed officers over the Lord’s house.
So all the people of the land rejoiced,
and the city was quiet.
Athaliah they had slain with the sword
at the king’s house.
Responsorial – Psalm 132.11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 Resp. 13
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
The Lord has sworn to David in truth.
He will not turn from it:
“I will set the fruit of your body
on your throne.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
“If your sons will keep my covenant,
my testimony that I will teach them,
their sons also
will sit on your throne forevermore.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
For the Lord has chosen Zion.
He has desired it for his dwelling.
“This is my resting place forever.
Here I will live, for I have desired it.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
“There I will make the horn of David to bud.
I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.
I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but on him, his crown will be resplendent.”
R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.
Gospel – Matthew 6.19-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not lay up treasures
for yourselves on the earth,
where moth and rust consume,
and where thieves
break through and steal;
but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consume,
and where thieves do not
break through and steal;
for where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
The lamp of the body is the eye.
If therefore your eye is sound,
your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eye is evil,
your whole body will be full of darkness.
If therefore the light that is in you is darkness,
how great is the darkness!”
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Sirach 48.1-14
Elijah the prophet arose like a fire,
And his word burned like a torch:
He brought a famine upon them,
and by his zeal made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven:
Thrice did he thus bring down fire.
How you are glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
And who shall have glory like yours?
You raised up a dead man from death,
from the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High:
You brought down kings to destruction,
and easily shattered their power.
You brought down noble men from their bed:
You heard rebuke in Sinai,
And judgments of vengeance in Horeb:
You anointed kings for retribution,
and a prophet to succeed after you.
You were taken up in a tempest of fire,
In a chariot of fiery horses:
It is written that you are destined in time to come
to pacify anger before the day of the Lord,
to turn the heart of the father to the son,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are they that saw you,
and they that have been beautified with love;
For we also shall surely live,
but after death our name will be nothing.
Elijah it was, who was wrapped in a tempest:
And Elisha was filled with his spirit;
working many wonders with only his word.
In all his days he was not moved by the fear of any ruler,
and no one brought him into subjection.
Nothing was too high for him;
and beneath him flesh was brought back to life.
As in his life he did wonders,
So in death were his works marvelous.
Responsorial – Psalm 97.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7 Resp. 12a
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!
Let the multitude of islands be glad!
Clouds and darkness are around him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
A fire goes before him,
and burns up his adversaries on every side.
His lightning lights up the world.
The earth sees, and trembles.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images,
who boast in their idols.
Worship him, all you gods!
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
Gospel – Matthew 6.7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
In praying, do not pile up words,
as the Gentiles do;
for they think that
in their many words
they will be heard.
So do not be like them,
for your Father knows
what things you need
before you ask him.
Pray like this:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive those who owe debts to us.
lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive humans their missteps,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive humans their missteps,
neither will your Father forgive your missteps.
Reading 1 – Sirach 48.1-14
Elijah the prophet arose like a fire,
And his word burned like a torch:
He brought a famine upon them,
and by his zeal made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven:
Thrice did he thus bring down fire.
How you are glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
And who shall have glory like yours?
You raised up a dead man from death,
from the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High:
You brought down kings to destruction,
and easily shattered their power.
You brought down noble men from their bed:
You heard rebuke in Sinai,
And judgments of vengeance in Horeb:
You anointed kings for retribution,
and a prophet to succeed after you.
You were taken up in a tempest of fire,
In a chariot of fiery horses:
It is written that you are destined in time to come
to pacify anger before the day of the Lord,
to turn the heart of the father to the son,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are they that saw you,
and they that have been beautified with love;
For we also shall surely live,
but after death our name will be nothing.
Elijah it was, who was wrapped in a tempest:
And Elisha was filled with his spirit;
working many wonders with only his word.
In all his days he was not moved by the fear of any ruler,
and no one brought him into subjection.
Nothing was too high for him;
and beneath him flesh was brought back to life.
As in his life he did wonders,
So in death were his works marvelous.
Responsorial – Psalm 97.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7 Resp. 12a
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!
Let the multitude of islands be glad!
Clouds and darkness are around him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
A fire goes before him,
and burns up his adversaries on every side.
His lightning lights up the world.
The earth sees, and trembles.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images,
who boast in their idols.
Worship him, all you gods!
R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!
Gospel – Matthew 6.7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
In praying, do not pile up words,
as the Gentiles do;
for they think that
in their many words
they will be heard.
So do not be like them,
for your Father knows
what things you need
before you ask him.
Pray like this:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive those who owe debts to us.
lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive humans their missteps,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive humans their missteps,
neither will your Father forgive your missteps.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
When the Lord was about to take
Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven,
Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
Elijah said to him, “Please wait here,
for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
He said, “As the Lord lives,
and as your soul lives,
I will not leave you.”
They both went on.
Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went,
and stood opposite them at a distance;
and they both stood by the Jordan.
Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together,
and struck the waters,
and they were divided here and there,
so that the two went over on dry ground.
When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask what I shall do for you,
before I am taken from you.”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion
of your spirit be on me.”
He said, “You have asked a hard thing.
If you see me when I am taken from you,
it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
As they still went on, and talked,
behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire
separated them; and Elijah went up
by a whirlwind into heaven.
Elisha saw it, and he cried,
“My father, my father,
the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”
He saw him no more:
and he took hold of his own clothes,
and tore them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah
that fell from him, and went back,
and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him,
and struck the waters, and said,
“Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”
When he also had struck the waters,
they were divided here and there;
and Elisha went over.
Responsorial – Psalm 31.20, 21, 24 Resp. 25
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
How great is your goodness,
which you have laid up for those who fear you,
which you have, for those who take refuge in you,
worked before the sons of men!
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
In the shelter of your presence you will hide them
from the plotting of man.
You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
the Lord preserves the faithful,
and fully repays him who behaves arrogantly.
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be careful lest you
do you righteous deeds in front of humans,
in order to be seen by them.
If you do not at least do this,
you will have no pay
from your Father in heaven.
Therefore when you do merciful deeds,
do not sound a trumpet before yourself,
as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and on the streets,
that they may get glory from humans.
Amen I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But when you do merciful deeds,
do not let your left hand know
what your right hand does,
so that your merciful deeds
may be in secret,
and your Father
who sees into the secret
will pay you.
And when you pray,
you shall not be
like the hypocrites,
that love to stand praying
in the synagogues
and on the streetcorners,
that they may be on display for humans.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But you, when you pray,
go into your closet,
and shut your door;
pray to your Father
who is in secret,
and your Father
who sees into the secret
will pay you.
And when you fast,
Do not be like the gloomy hypocrites,
For they disfigure their faces,
so that they may be fasting on display for humans.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But you, when you fast,
anoint your head,
and wash your face;
so that you are not fasting on display for humans,
but for your Father
who is in secret,
and your Father,
who sees into the secret,
will pay you.
Reading 1 – 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
When the Lord was about to take
Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven,
Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
Elijah said to him, “Please wait here,
for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
He said, “As the Lord lives,
and as your soul lives,
I will not leave you.”
They both went on.
Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went,
and stood opposite them at a distance;
and they both stood by the Jordan.
Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together,
and struck the waters,
and they were divided here and there,
so that the two went over on dry ground.
When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask what I shall do for you,
before I am taken from you.”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion
of your spirit be on me.”
He said, “You have asked a hard thing.
If you see me when I am taken from you,
it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”
As they still went on, and talked,
behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire
separated them; and Elijah went up
by a whirlwind into heaven.
Elisha saw it, and he cried,
“My father, my father,
the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”
He saw him no more:
and he took hold of his own clothes,
and tore them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah
that fell from him, and went back,
and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him,
and struck the waters, and said,
“Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”
When he also had struck the waters,
they were divided here and there;
and Elisha went over.
Responsorial – Psalm 31.20, 21, 24 Resp. 25
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
How great is your goodness,
which you have laid up for those who fear you,
which you have, for those who take refuge in you,
worked before the sons of men!
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
In the shelter of your presence you will hide them
from the plotting of man.
You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
the Lord preserves the faithful,
and fully repays him who behaves arrogantly.
R. Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be careful lest you
do you righteous deeds in front of humans,
in order to be seen by them.
If you do not at least do this,
you will have no pay
from your Father in heaven.
Therefore when you do merciful deeds,
do not sound a trumpet before yourself,
as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and on the streets,
that they may get glory from humans.
Amen I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But when you do merciful deeds,
do not let your left hand know
what your right hand does,
so that your merciful deeds
may be in secret,
and your Father
who sees into the secret
will pay you.
And when you pray,
you shall not be
like the hypocrites,
that love to stand praying
in the synagogues
and on the streetcorners,
that they may be on display for humans.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But you, when you pray,
go into your closet,
and shut your door;
pray to your Father
who is in secret,
and your Father
who sees into the secret
will pay you.
And when you fast,
Do not be like the gloomy hypocrites,
For they disfigure their faces,
so that they may be fasting on display for humans.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their pay.
But you, when you fast,
anoint your head,
and wash your face;
so that you are not fasting on display for humans,
but for your Father
who is in secret,
and your Father,
who sees into the secret,
will pay you.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 21.17-29
After the death of Naboth,
the word of the Lord came
to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
“Arise, go down to meet Ahab,
king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria.
Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth,
where he has gone down
to take possession of it.
You shall speak to him, saying,
‘The Lord says,
“Having killed, do you also take possession?”’
You shall speak to him, saying,
‘The Lord says, “In the place
where dogs licked the blood of Naboth,
dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’”
Ahab said to Elijah,
“Have you found me, my enemy?”
He answered, “I have found you,
because you have sold yourself
to do that which is evil
in the sight of the Lord.
Behold, I will bring evil on you,
and will utterly sweep you away
and will cut off from Ahab
every male, whether slave or free in Israel.
I will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah
for the provocation with which you have
provoked me to anger,
and have made Israel to sin.”
The Lord also spoke of Jezebel, saying,
“The dogs shall eat Jezebel
by the rampart of Jezreel.
The dogs will eat him who dies of Ahab in the city;
and the birds of the sky will
eat him who dies in the field.”
For there was no one like Ahab,
who sold himself to do
that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,
whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
He did very abominably in following idols,
according to all that the Amorites did,
whom the Lord cast out
before the children of Israel.
When Ahab heard those words,
he tore his clothes,
and put sackcloth on his flesh,
and fasted, and lay in sackcloth,
and went subdued.
The word of the Lord came
to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
“See how Ahab humbles himself before me?
Because he humbles himself before me,
I will not bring the evil in his days;
but in his son’s days
will I bring the evil on his house.”
Responsorial – Psalm 51.3-4, 5-6ab, 11+16 Resp. 3a
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight;
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Gospel - Matthew 5.43-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor,
and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who
mistreat you and persecute you,
that you may be children
of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun
to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors
do the same?
If you only greet your brothers and sisters,
what more do you do than others?
Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?
Therefore you shall be perfect,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 21.17-29
After the death of Naboth,
the word of the Lord came
to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
“Arise, go down to meet Ahab,
king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria.
Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth,
where he has gone down
to take possession of it.
You shall speak to him, saying,
‘The Lord says,
“Having killed, do you also take possession?”’
You shall speak to him, saying,
‘The Lord says, “In the place
where dogs licked the blood of Naboth,
dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’”
Ahab said to Elijah,
“Have you found me, my enemy?”
He answered, “I have found you,
because you have sold yourself
to do that which is evil
in the sight of the Lord.
Behold, I will bring evil on you,
and will utterly sweep you away
and will cut off from Ahab
every male, whether slave or free in Israel.
I will make your house
like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah
for the provocation with which you have
provoked me to anger,
and have made Israel to sin.”
The Lord also spoke of Jezebel, saying,
“The dogs shall eat Jezebel
by the rampart of Jezreel.
The dogs will eat him who dies of Ahab in the city;
and the birds of the sky will
eat him who dies in the field.”
For there was no one like Ahab,
who sold himself to do
that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,
whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
He did very abominably in following idols,
according to all that the Amorites did,
whom the Lord cast out
before the children of Israel.
When Ahab heard those words,
he tore his clothes,
and put sackcloth on his flesh,
and fasted, and lay in sackcloth,
and went subdued.
The word of the Lord came
to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
“See how Ahab humbles himself before me?
Because he humbles himself before me,
I will not bring the evil in his days;
but in his son’s days
will I bring the evil on his house.”
Responsorial – Psalm 51.3-4, 5-6ab, 11+16 Resp. 3a
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight;
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
R. Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Gospel - Matthew 5.43-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor,
and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who
mistreat you and persecute you,
that you may be children
of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun
to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors
do the same?
If you only greet your brothers and sisters,
what more do you do than others?
Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?
Therefore you shall be perfect,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 21.1-16
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel,
next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying,
“Give me your vineyard,
that I may have it for an herb garden,
because it is near to my house;
and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it.
Or, if it seems good to you,
I will give you its worth in money.”
Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that
I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry
because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite
had spoken to him; for he had said,
“I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
He laid himself down on his bed,
and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him,
“Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?”
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,
and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money;
or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’
He answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
Jezebel his wife said to him,
“Do you govern the kingdom of Israel?
Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry.
I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name,
and sealed them with his seal,
and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles
who were in his city, who lived with Naboth.
She wrote in the letters, saying,
“Proclaim a fast,
and set Naboth on high among the people.
Set two men, wicked men, before him,
and let them testify against him, saying,
‘You cursed God and the king!’
Then carry him out, and stone him to death.”
The men of his city,
the elders and the nobles who lived in his city,
did as Jezebel had sent to them,
as it was written in the letters
which she had sent to them.
They proclaimed a fast,
and set Naboth on high among the people.
The two men, the wicked men,
came in and sat before him.
The wicked men testified against him, against Naboth,
in the presence of the people, saying,
“Naboth cursed God and the king!”
Then they carried him out of the city
and stoned him to death with stones.
Then they sent to Jezebel, saying,
“Naboth has been stoned, and is dead.”
When Jezebel heard that Naboth
was stoned, and was dead,
Jezebel said to Ahab,
“Arise, take possession of
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite,
which he refused to give you for money;
for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead,
Ahab rose up to go down to
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite,
to take possession of it.
Responsorial – Psalm 5.2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7 Resp. 2b
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
Give ear to my words, O Lord.
Consider my meditation.
Listen to the voice of my cry,
my King and my God;
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness.
Evil cannot live with you.
The arrogant shall not stand in your sight.
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You will destroy those who speak lies.
the Lord abhors
the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 5.38-42
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
‘An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I say to you,
do not resist one who is evil;
but whoever strikes you on your right cheek,
turn to them the other also.
If anyone sues you to take away your coat,
let them have your cloak also.
Whoever compels you to go one mile,
go with them two.
Give to the one who asks you,
and do not turn away the one
who desires to borrow from you.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 21.1-16
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel,
next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying,
“Give me your vineyard,
that I may have it for an herb garden,
because it is near to my house;
and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it.
Or, if it seems good to you,
I will give you its worth in money.”
Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that
I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!”
Ahab came into his house sullen and angry
because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite
had spoken to him; for he had said,
“I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
He laid himself down on his bed,
and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him,
“Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?”
He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite,
and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money;
or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’
He answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
Jezebel his wife said to him,
“Do you govern the kingdom of Israel?
Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry.
I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name,
and sealed them with his seal,
and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles
who were in his city, who lived with Naboth.
She wrote in the letters, saying,
“Proclaim a fast,
and set Naboth on high among the people.
Set two men, wicked men, before him,
and let them testify against him, saying,
‘You cursed God and the king!’
Then carry him out, and stone him to death.”
The men of his city,
the elders and the nobles who lived in his city,
did as Jezebel had sent to them,
as it was written in the letters
which she had sent to them.
They proclaimed a fast,
and set Naboth on high among the people.
The two men, the wicked men,
came in and sat before him.
The wicked men testified against him, against Naboth,
in the presence of the people, saying,
“Naboth cursed God and the king!”
Then they carried him out of the city
and stoned him to death with stones.
Then they sent to Jezebel, saying,
“Naboth has been stoned, and is dead.”
When Jezebel heard that Naboth
was stoned, and was dead,
Jezebel said to Ahab,
“Arise, take possession of
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite,
which he refused to give you for money;
for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead,
Ahab rose up to go down to
the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite,
to take possession of it.
Responsorial – Psalm 5.2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7 Resp. 2b
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
Give ear to my words, O Lord.
Consider my meditation.
Listen to the voice of my cry,
my King and my God;
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness.
Evil cannot live with you.
The arrogant shall not stand in your sight.
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You will destroy those who speak lies.
the Lord abhors
the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
R. Listen to the voice of my cry, O Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 5.38-42
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
‘An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I say to you,
do not resist one who is evil;
but whoever strikes you on your right cheek,
turn to them the other also.
If anyone sues you to take away your coat,
let them have your cloak also.
Whoever compels you to go one mile,
go with them two.
Give to the one who asks you,
and do not turn away the one
who desires to borrow from you.
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Ezekiel 17.22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I will also take of the
lofty top of the cedar;
I will crop off from the topmost
of its young twigs a tender one,
and I will plant it on
a high and lofty mountain:
in the mountain heights of Israel
I will plant it;
and it shall produce boughs,
and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar:
and under it shall dwell
all birds of every wing;
in the shade of its branches
shall they dwell.
All the trees of the field shall know that
I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree,
have exalted the low tree,
have dried up the green tree,
and have made the dry tree to flourish;
I, the Lord, have spoken and will do it.
Responsorial – Psalm 92.2-3, 13-14, 15-16 Resp. 2a
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, Most High;
to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning,
and your faithfulness every night,
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord.
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
They will still produce fruit in old age.
They will be full of sap and green,
to show that the Lord is upright.
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
Reading 2 – 2 Corinthians 5.6-10
Brothers and sisters:
We are always confident
and know that while we are
at home in the body,
we are absent from the Lord;
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
We are courageous, I say,
and are willing rather
to be absent from the body,
and to be at home with the Lord.
Therefore also we make it our aim,
whether at home or absent,
to be well pleasing to him.
For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ;
that each one may receive things
according to what they have done in the body,
whether good or evil.
Gospel – Mark 4.26-34
Jesus said to the crowds,
“The Kingdom of God is
like when a human
casts seed on the earth,
and sleeps and rises
night and day,
and the seed springs up and grows,
they know not how.
For the earth bears fruit:
first the blade, then the ear,
then the full grain in the ear.
But when the fruit is ripe,
immediately they put in the sickle,
because the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what will we compare
the Kingdom of God?
Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed,
which, when it is sown in the earth,
is smaller than the other seeds
that are on the earth,
yet when it is sown, grows up,
and becomes greater than all the plants,
and puts out great branches,
so that the birds of the sky
can lodge under its shadow.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them,
as they were able to hear it.
Without a parable he did not speak to them;
but privately to his own disciples
he explained everything.
Reading 1 – Ezekiel 17.22-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I will also take of the
lofty top of the cedar;
I will crop off from the topmost
of its young twigs a tender one,
and I will plant it on
a high and lofty mountain:
in the mountain heights of Israel
I will plant it;
and it shall produce boughs,
and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar:
and under it shall dwell
all birds of every wing;
in the shade of its branches
shall they dwell.
All the trees of the field shall know that
I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree,
have exalted the low tree,
have dried up the green tree,
and have made the dry tree to flourish;
I, the Lord, have spoken and will do it.
Responsorial – Psalm 92.2-3, 13-14, 15-16 Resp. 2a
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, Most High;
to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning,
and your faithfulness every night,
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord.
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
They will still produce fruit in old age.
They will be full of sap and green,
to show that the Lord is upright.
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
R. It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord.
Reading 2 – 2 Corinthians 5.6-10
Brothers and sisters:
We are always confident
and know that while we are
at home in the body,
we are absent from the Lord;
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
We are courageous, I say,
and are willing rather
to be absent from the body,
and to be at home with the Lord.
Therefore also we make it our aim,
whether at home or absent,
to be well pleasing to him.
For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ;
that each one may receive things
according to what they have done in the body,
whether good or evil.
Gospel – Mark 4.26-34
Jesus said to the crowds,
“The Kingdom of God is
like when a human
casts seed on the earth,
and sleeps and rises
night and day,
and the seed springs up and grows,
they know not how.
For the earth bears fruit:
first the blade, then the ear,
then the full grain in the ear.
But when the fruit is ripe,
immediately they put in the sickle,
because the harvest has come.”
He said, “To what will we compare
the Kingdom of God?
Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed,
which, when it is sown in the earth,
is smaller than the other seeds
that are on the earth,
yet when it is sown, grows up,
and becomes greater than all the plants,
and puts out great branches,
so that the birds of the sky
can lodge under its shadow.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them,
as they were able to hear it.
Without a parable he did not speak to them;
but privately to his own disciples
he explained everything.
Memorial of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 19.19-21
So Elijah left and found
Elisha the son of Shaphat,
who was plowing,
with twelve yoke of oxen before him,
and he with the twelfth:
and Elijah passed over to him,
and threw his mantle on him.
He left the oxen, and ran after Elijah,
and said, “Please let me
kiss my father and my mother,
and then I will follow you.”
He said to him, “Go back again;
for what have I done to you?”
He returned from following him,
and took the yoke of oxen,
and killed them and boiled their flesh
using the yokes of the oxen,
and gave to the people, and they ate.
Then he arose
and went after Elijah and served him.
Responsorial – Psalm 16.1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10 Resp. 5a
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
My soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
The Lord assigned my portion and my cup.
You made my lot secure.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel.
Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices.
My body shall also dwell in safety.
For you will not leave my soul in Sheol,
nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Gospel – Luke 2.41-51
Jesus’ parents went every year
to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem
according to the custom of the feast,
and when they had fulfilled the days,
as they were returning,
the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Joseph and his mother did not know it,
but supposing him to be in the company,
they went a day’s journey,
and they looked for him
among their relatives and acquaintances.
When they did not find him,
they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
both listening to them,
and asking them questions.
All who heard him
were amazed at his understanding
and his answers.
When they saw him, they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you treated us this way?
Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
He said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know
that I must be in my Father’s house?”
They did not understand the saying
which he spoke to them.
And he went down with them,
and came to Nazareth.
He was obedient to them,
and his mother kept all this in her heart.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 19.19-21
So Elijah left and found
Elisha the son of Shaphat,
who was plowing,
with twelve yoke of oxen before him,
and he with the twelfth:
and Elijah passed over to him,
and threw his mantle on him.
He left the oxen, and ran after Elijah,
and said, “Please let me
kiss my father and my mother,
and then I will follow you.”
He said to him, “Go back again;
for what have I done to you?”
He returned from following him,
and took the yoke of oxen,
and killed them and boiled their flesh
using the yokes of the oxen,
and gave to the people, and they ate.
Then he arose
and went after Elijah and served him.
Responsorial – Psalm 16.1-2a+5, 7-8, 9-10 Resp. 5a
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
My soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
The Lord assigned my portion and my cup.
You made my lot secure.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel.
Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices.
My body shall also dwell in safety.
For you will not leave my soul in Sheol,
nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
R. O Lord, you are my inheritance.
Gospel – Luke 2.41-51
Jesus’ parents went every year
to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem
according to the custom of the feast,
and when they had fulfilled the days,
as they were returning,
the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Joseph and his mother did not know it,
but supposing him to be in the company,
they went a day’s journey,
and they looked for him
among their relatives and acquaintances.
When they did not find him,
they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
both listening to them,
and asking them questions.
All who heard him
were amazed at his understanding
and his answers.
When they saw him, they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you treated us this way?
Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
He said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know
that I must be in my Father’s house?”
They did not understand the saying
which he spoke to them.
And he went down with them,
and came to Nazareth.
He was obedient to them,
and his mother kept all this in her heart.
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (B)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Thus says the LORD:
“When Israel was a child, I loved him;
out of Egypt I called my son.
Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.
I took them in my arms;
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human cords,
with ties of love;
and I was to them
like those who lift up the yoke on their necks;
and I bent down to them and I fed them.
My heart is turned within me,
my compassion is aroused.
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger.
I will not return to destroy Ephraim:
for I am God, and not man;
the Holy One among you;
and I will not come in wrath.
Responsorial – Isaiah 12.2-3, 4, 5-6 Resp. 3
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Behold, God is my salvation.
I will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord, the Lord, is my strength and song;
and he has become my salvation.
Therefore with joy you will draw water
out of the wells of salvation.
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord! Call on his name.
Declare his deeds among the nations.
Proclaim that his name is exalted!
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done excellent things!
Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;
For great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel.
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Reading 2 – Ephesians 3.8-12, 14-19
Brothers and sisters:
To me, the very least of all saints,
was this grace given:
to preach to the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for everyone
the economy of the mystery
which for ages has been hidden in God,
who created all things;
so that now through the Church
the manifold wisdom of God
might be made known to
the principalities and the powers
in the heavenly places,
according to the eternal purpose
which he accomplished
in Christ Jesus our Lord;
in whom we have boldness
and confident access
through our faith in him.
For this reason,
I bow my knees to
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named,
that he would grant you,
according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in the inward human;
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
to the end that you,
being rooted and grounded in love,
may be strengthened to comprehend
with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know Christ’s love
which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Gospel – John 19.31-37
So the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day,
so that the bodies would not remain on the crosses
on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a special one,
asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken,
and that they might be taken away.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first,
and of the other who was crucified with him;
but when they came to Jesus,
and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
and immediately blood and water came out.
He who has seen has testified and his testimony is true.
He knows that he tells the truth that you may believe.
For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
“A bone of him will not be broken.”
Again another Scripture says,
“They will look on him whom they pierced.”
Reading 1 – Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Thus says the LORD:
“When Israel was a child, I loved him;
out of Egypt I called my son.
Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.
I took them in my arms;
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human cords,
with ties of love;
and I was to them
like those who lift up the yoke on their necks;
and I bent down to them and I fed them.
My heart is turned within me,
my compassion is aroused.
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger.
I will not return to destroy Ephraim:
for I am God, and not man;
the Holy One among you;
and I will not come in wrath.
Responsorial – Isaiah 12.2-3, 4, 5-6 Resp. 3
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Behold, God is my salvation.
I will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord, the Lord, is my strength and song;
and he has become my salvation.
Therefore with joy you will draw water
out of the wells of salvation.
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord! Call on his name.
Declare his deeds among the nations.
Proclaim that his name is exalted!
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done excellent things!
Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;
For great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel.
R. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Reading 2 – Ephesians 3.8-12, 14-19
Brothers and sisters:
To me, the very least of all saints,
was this grace given:
to preach to the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for everyone
the economy of the mystery
which for ages has been hidden in God,
who created all things;
so that now through the Church
the manifold wisdom of God
might be made known to
the principalities and the powers
in the heavenly places,
according to the eternal purpose
which he accomplished
in Christ Jesus our Lord;
in whom we have boldness
and confident access
through our faith in him.
For this reason,
I bow my knees to
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named,
that he would grant you,
according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in the inward human;
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
to the end that you,
being rooted and grounded in love,
may be strengthened to comprehend
with all the saints what is
the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know Christ’s love
which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Gospel – John 19.31-37
So the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day,
so that the bodies would not remain on the crosses
on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a special one,
asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken,
and that they might be taken away.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first,
and of the other who was crucified with him;
but when they came to Jesus,
and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
and immediately blood and water came out.
He who has seen has testified and his testimony is true.
He knows that he tells the truth that you may believe.
For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
“A bone of him will not be broken.”
Again another Scripture says,
“They will look on him whom they pierced.”
Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 18.41-46
Elijah said to Ahab,
“Get up, eat and drink;
for there is the sound
of abundance of rain.”
So Ahab went up
to eat and to drink.
Elijah went up to the top of Carmel;
and he bowed himself
down on the earth,
and put his face between his knees.
He said to his servant,
“Go up now, look toward the sea.”
He went up, and looked, and said,
“There is nothing.”
He said, “Go again” seven times.
On the seventh time, he said,
“Behold, a small cloud, like a man’s hand,
is rising out of the sea.”
He said, “Go up, tell Ahab,
‘Get ready and go down,
so that the rain does not stop you.’”
In a little while, the sky grew black
with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.
Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
The hand of the Lord was on Elijah;
and he tucked his cloak into his belt
and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Responsorial – Psalm 65.10, 11, 12-13 Resp. 2a
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
You visit the earth, and water it.
You greatly enrich it.
The river of God is full of water.
You provide them grain.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
So you have planned it.
You drench its furrows. You level its ridges.
You soften it with showers.
You bless it with a crop.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
You crown the year with your bounty.
Your carts overflow with abundance.
The wilderness grasslands overflow.
The hills are clothed with gladness.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
Gospel – Matthew 5.20-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
For I tell you that
unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
there is no way
you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
“You have heard
that it was said to the ancient ones,
‘You shall not murder;’ and
‘Whoever shall murder
shall be in danger of the judgment.’
But I tell you that
everyone who is angry with his brother
shall be in danger of the judgment;
and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raqa!’
shall be in danger of the Sanhedren;
and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’
shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
“If therefore
you are offering your gift at the altar,
and there remember that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Agree with your adversary quickly,
while you are with him on the way;
lest the prosecutor deliver you to the judge,
and the judge deliver you to the guard,
and you be cast into prison.
Most certainly I tell you,
you shall by no means get out of there,
until you have paid the last penny.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 18.41-46
Elijah said to Ahab,
“Get up, eat and drink;
for there is the sound
of abundance of rain.”
So Ahab went up
to eat and to drink.
Elijah went up to the top of Carmel;
and he bowed himself
down on the earth,
and put his face between his knees.
He said to his servant,
“Go up now, look toward the sea.”
He went up, and looked, and said,
“There is nothing.”
He said, “Go again” seven times.
On the seventh time, he said,
“Behold, a small cloud, like a man’s hand,
is rising out of the sea.”
He said, “Go up, tell Ahab,
‘Get ready and go down,
so that the rain does not stop you.’”
In a little while, the sky grew black
with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.
Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
The hand of the Lord was on Elijah;
and he tucked his cloak into his belt
and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Responsorial – Psalm 65.10, 11, 12-13 Resp. 2a
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
You visit the earth, and water it.
You greatly enrich it.
The river of God is full of water.
You provide them grain.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
So you have planned it.
You drench its furrows. You level its ridges.
You soften it with showers.
You bless it with a crop.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
You crown the year with your bounty.
Your carts overflow with abundance.
The wilderness grasslands overflow.
The hills are clothed with gladness.
R. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion.
Gospel – Matthew 5.20-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
For I tell you that
unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
there is no way
you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
“You have heard
that it was said to the ancient ones,
‘You shall not murder;’ and
‘Whoever shall murder
shall be in danger of the judgment.’
But I tell you that
everyone who is angry with his brother
shall be in danger of the judgment;
and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raqa!’
shall be in danger of the Sanhedren;
and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’
shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
“If therefore
you are offering your gift at the altar,
and there remember that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Agree with your adversary quickly,
while you are with him on the way;
lest the prosecutor deliver you to the judge,
and the judge deliver you to the guard,
and you be cast into prison.
Most certainly I tell you,
you shall by no means get out of there,
until you have paid the last penny.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 18.20-39
Ahab sent to all the children of Israel,
and gathered the prophets together
on Mount Carmel.
Elijah came near to all the people, and said,
“How long will you waver between the two sides?
If the Lord is God, follow him;
but if Baal, then follow him.”
The people answered him not a word.
Then Elijah said to the people,
“I, even I alone, am left a prophet of the Lord;
but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men.
Let them therefore give us two bulls;
and let them choose one bull for themselves,
and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood,
but put no fire under;
and I will dress the other bull,
and lay it on the wood but put no fire under it.
You call on the name of your god,
and I will call on the Lord’s name.
The God who answers by fire is God.”
All the people answered, “It is well said.”
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal,
“Choose one bull for yourselves,
and dress it first, for you are many;
and call on the name of your god,
but put no fire under it.”
They took the bull which was given them,
and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal
from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us!”
But there was no voice,
nor any who answered.
They leaped about the altar which was made.
At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said,
“Cry aloud; for he is a god.
Either he is meditating, or he has gone to rest,
or he is on a journey,
or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.”
They cried aloud and cut themselves
in their way with knives and lances,
until the blood gushed out on them.
It was so, when midday was past,
that they prophesied until
the time of the offering of the sacrifice;
but there was no voice,
no one was there to answer; no one was listening.
Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me”;
and all the people came near to him.
He repaired the altar of the Lord that was thrown down.
Elijah took twelve stones,
according to the number of
the tribes of the sons of Jacob,
to whom the Lord’s word came, saying,
“Israel shall be your name.”
With the stones he built an altar in the Lord’s name.
He made a trench around the altar,
large enough to contain two measures of seed.
He put the wood in order,
and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.
He said, “Fill four jars with water,
and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.”
He said, “Do it a second time”,
and they did it the second time.
He said, “Do it a third time”,
and they did it the third time.
The water ran around the altar;
and filled the trench with water.
At the time of the offering of the sacrifice,
Elijah the prophet came near, and said,
“O Lord, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel,
let it be known this day that you are God in Israel,
and that I am your servant,
and that I have done all these things at your word.
Hear me, Lord, hear me,
that this people may know that you, the Lord, are God,
and that you have turned their heart back again.”
Then the fire of the Lord fell,
and consumed the burnt offering,
and the wood, and the stones, and the dust,
and licked up the water that was in the trench.
When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces.
They said, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”
Responsorial – Psalm 16.1b-2ab, 4, 5ab+8, 11
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
My soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Their sorrows shall be multiplied:
they who give gifts to another god.
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
nor take their names on my lips.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
The Lord assigned my portion and my cup.
You made my lot secure.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
You will show me the path of life.
In your presence is fullness of joy.
In your right hand there are delights forevermore.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Gospel – Matthew 5.17-19
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that
I came to destroy
the law or the prophets.
I came not to destroy but to fulfill.
For most certainly, I tell you,
until heaven and earth pass away,
not even one iota or one comma
shall in any way pass away from the law,
until all things are accomplished.
Whoever, therefore, shall break
one of these least commandments
and teach others to do so,
shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven;
but whoever shall do and teach them
shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 18.20-39
Ahab sent to all the children of Israel,
and gathered the prophets together
on Mount Carmel.
Elijah came near to all the people, and said,
“How long will you waver between the two sides?
If the Lord is God, follow him;
but if Baal, then follow him.”
The people answered him not a word.
Then Elijah said to the people,
“I, even I alone, am left a prophet of the Lord;
but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men.
Let them therefore give us two bulls;
and let them choose one bull for themselves,
and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood,
but put no fire under;
and I will dress the other bull,
and lay it on the wood but put no fire under it.
You call on the name of your god,
and I will call on the Lord’s name.
The God who answers by fire is God.”
All the people answered, “It is well said.”
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal,
“Choose one bull for yourselves,
and dress it first, for you are many;
and call on the name of your god,
but put no fire under it.”
They took the bull which was given them,
and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal
from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us!”
But there was no voice,
nor any who answered.
They leaped about the altar which was made.
At noon, Elijah mocked them, and said,
“Cry aloud; for he is a god.
Either he is meditating, or he has gone to rest,
or he is on a journey,
or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.”
They cried aloud and cut themselves
in their way with knives and lances,
until the blood gushed out on them.
It was so, when midday was past,
that they prophesied until
the time of the offering of the sacrifice;
but there was no voice,
no one was there to answer; no one was listening.
Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me”;
and all the people came near to him.
He repaired the altar of the Lord that was thrown down.
Elijah took twelve stones,
according to the number of
the tribes of the sons of Jacob,
to whom the Lord’s word came, saying,
“Israel shall be your name.”
With the stones he built an altar in the Lord’s name.
He made a trench around the altar,
large enough to contain two measures of seed.
He put the wood in order,
and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.
He said, “Fill four jars with water,
and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.”
He said, “Do it a second time”,
and they did it the second time.
He said, “Do it a third time”,
and they did it the third time.
The water ran around the altar;
and filled the trench with water.
At the time of the offering of the sacrifice,
Elijah the prophet came near, and said,
“O Lord, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel,
let it be known this day that you are God in Israel,
and that I am your servant,
and that I have done all these things at your word.
Hear me, Lord, hear me,
that this people may know that you, the Lord, are God,
and that you have turned their heart back again.”
Then the fire of the Lord fell,
and consumed the burnt offering,
and the wood, and the stones, and the dust,
and licked up the water that was in the trench.
When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces.
They said, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”
Responsorial – Psalm 16.1b-2ab, 4, 5ab+8, 11
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
My soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Their sorrows shall be multiplied:
they who give gifts to another god.
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
nor take their names on my lips.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
The Lord assigned my portion and my cup.
You made my lot secure.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
You will show me the path of life.
In your presence is fullness of joy.
In your right hand there are delights forevermore.
R. Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Gospel – Matthew 5.17-19
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that
I came to destroy
the law or the prophets.
I came not to destroy but to fulfill.
For most certainly, I tell you,
until heaven and earth pass away,
not even one iota or one comma
shall in any way pass away from the law,
until all things are accomplished.
Whoever, therefore, shall break
one of these least commandments
and teach others to do so,
shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven;
but whoever shall do and teach them
shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 17.7-16
After a while, the brook
where Elijah was staying dried up,
because there was no rain in the land.
The Lord’s word came to Elijah, saying,
“Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon,
and stay there.
Behold, I have commanded
a widow there to sustain you.”
So he arose and went to Zarephath;
and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks:
and he called to her, and said, “Please get me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”
As she was going to get it, he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
She said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have a thing baked,
but a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the jug.
Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son,
that we may eat it, and die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said;
but make me of it a little cake first, and bring it out to me,
and afterward make some for you and for your son.
For the Lord, the God of Israel says,
‘The jar of meal shall not empty, nor shall the jug of oil fail,
until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”
She went and did as Elijah had said,
and she, and he, and her house, ate many days.
The jar of meal did not empty, nor did the jug of oil fail,
according to the Lord’s word, which he spoke through Elijah.
Responsorial – Psalm 4.2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 Resp. 7a
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness.
Give me relief from my distress.
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Gentlemen, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor?
Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
But know that the Lord has set apart for himself him who is godly:
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
Stand in awe and do not sin.
Search your own heart on your bed, and be still.
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
O Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
Gospel – Matthew 5.13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth,
but if the salt has lost its flavor,
with what will it be salted?
It is then good for nothing but
to be cast out and trodden
under the feet of humans.
You are the light of the world.
A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do you light a lamp,
and put it under a bushel basket,
but rather on a stand,
and it shines to all who are in the house.
Even so, let your light shine before humans;
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 17.7-16
After a while, the brook
where Elijah was staying dried up,
because there was no rain in the land.
The Lord’s word came to Elijah, saying,
“Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon,
and stay there.
Behold, I have commanded
a widow there to sustain you.”
So he arose and went to Zarephath;
and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks:
and he called to her, and said, “Please get me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.”
As she was going to get it, he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
She said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have a thing baked,
but a handful of meal in the jar, and a little oil in the jug.
Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son,
that we may eat it, and die.”
Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said;
but make me of it a little cake first, and bring it out to me,
and afterward make some for you and for your son.
For the Lord, the God of Israel says,
‘The jar of meal shall not empty, nor shall the jug of oil fail,
until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”
She went and did as Elijah had said,
and she, and he, and her house, ate many days.
The jar of meal did not empty, nor did the jug of oil fail,
according to the Lord’s word, which he spoke through Elijah.
Responsorial – Psalm 4.2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 Resp. 7a
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness.
Give me relief from my distress.
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Gentlemen, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor?
Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
But know that the Lord has set apart for himself him who is godly:
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
Stand in awe and do not sin.
Search your own heart on your bed, and be still.
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
O Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
R. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us.
Gospel – Matthew 5.13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth,
but if the salt has lost its flavor,
with what will it be salted?
It is then good for nothing but
to be cast out and trodden
under the feet of humans.
You are the light of the world.
A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do you light a lamp,
and put it under a bushel basket,
but rather on a stand,
and it shines to all who are in the house.
Even so, let your light shine before humans;
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Acts 11.21b-26; 13.1-3
In those days,
a great number believed
and turned to the Lord.
The report concerning them
came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem.
They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
When he had arrived and seen the grace of God,
he was glad.
He exhorted them all,
that with firmness of heart
they should remain near to the Lord.
For he was a good man,
and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,
and many people were added to the Lord.
Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
When he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they were
gathered together with the assembly,
and taught many people.
It was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Now in the Church at Antioch
there were some prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen the foster brother
of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul.
As they served the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Spirit said,
“Separate Barnabas and Saul for me,
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, when they had fasted and prayed
and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away.
Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 Resp. 2b
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
because he has done wonderful things.
His right hand has saved,
and his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and his fidelity
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;
make melody, rejoice and sing.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the melodious voice.
With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Gospel – Matthew 5.1-12
Jesus, seeing the crowds, went up on the mountain,
and when he sat down, his disciples came to him,
and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you
and speak all that is evil against you, falsely, because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward in heaven is great.
So also they persecuted the prophets before you.”
Reading 1 – Acts 11.21b-26; 13.1-3
In those days,
a great number believed
and turned to the Lord.
The report concerning them
came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem.
They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
When he had arrived and seen the grace of God,
he was glad.
He exhorted them all,
that with firmness of heart
they should remain near to the Lord.
For he was a good man,
and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,
and many people were added to the Lord.
Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
When he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they were
gathered together with the assembly,
and taught many people.
It was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Now in the Church at Antioch
there were some prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen the foster brother
of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul.
As they served the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Spirit said,
“Separate Barnabas and Saul for me,
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, when they had fasted and prayed
and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away.
Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 Resp. 2b
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
because he has done wonderful things.
His right hand has saved,
and his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and his fidelity
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;
make melody, rejoice and sing.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the melodious voice.
With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.
Gospel – Matthew 5.1-12
Jesus, seeing the crowds, went up on the mountain,
and when he sat down, his disciples came to him,
and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you
and speak all that is evil against you, falsely, because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward in heaven is great.
So also they persecuted the prophets before you.”
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (B)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Exodus 24.3-8
Moses came and told the people
all the words of the Lord,
and all the ordinances;
and all the people answered
with one voice, and said,
“All the words which the Lord has spoken
will we do.”
Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,
and rose up early in the morning,
and built an altar
at the foot of the mountain,
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
He sent young men of the children of Israel,
who offered burnt offerings
and sacrificed peace offerings of cattle to the Lord.
Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins,
and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
He took the book of the covenant
and read it in the hearing of the people,
and they said,
“All that the Lord has spoken
we will do and be obedient.”
Moses took the blood,
and sprinkled it on the people, and said,
“Look, this is the blood of the covenant,
which the Lord has made with you
concerning all these words.”
Responsorial – Psalm 116.12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Resp. 13
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
What will I give to the Lord
for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
and call on the name of the Lord.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid.
You have freed me from my chains.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord,
yes, in the presence of all his people,
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
Reading 2 – Hebrews 9.11-15
Brothers and sisters:
Christ having come as a high priest
of the good things to come,
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands,
that is to say, not of this creation,
obtained eternal redemption
by entering once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves,
but with his own blood.
For if the blood of goats and bulls,
and the ashes of a heifer
sprinkling those who have been defiled,
sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh:
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without defect to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God?
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant,
since a death has occurred
for the redemption of the transgressions
that were under the first covenant,
that those who have been called
may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Gospel – Mark 14.12-16, 22-26
On the first day of unleavened bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover,
his disciples asked him,
“Where do you want us to go
and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples, and said to them,
“Go into the city, and there you will
meet a human carrying a pitcher of water.
Follow them, and wherever they enter in,
tell the master of the house,
‘The Teacher says,
“Where is the guest room,
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
He will himself show you a large upper room
furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”
His disciples went out, and came into the city,
and found things as he had said to them,
and they prepared the Passover.
As they were eating, he took bread,
and when he had blessed,
he broke it, and gave to them, and said,
“Take; this is my body.”
He took a cup,
and when he had given thanks,
he gave it to them.
They all drank of it.
He said to them,
“This is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for many.
Amen I say to you,
I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new
in the Kingdom of God.”
When they had sung a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Reading 1 – Exodus 24.3-8
Moses came and told the people
all the words of the Lord,
and all the ordinances;
and all the people answered
with one voice, and said,
“All the words which the Lord has spoken
will we do.”
Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,
and rose up early in the morning,
and built an altar
at the foot of the mountain,
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
He sent young men of the children of Israel,
who offered burnt offerings
and sacrificed peace offerings of cattle to the Lord.
Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins,
and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
He took the book of the covenant
and read it in the hearing of the people,
and they said,
“All that the Lord has spoken
we will do and be obedient.”
Moses took the blood,
and sprinkled it on the people, and said,
“Look, this is the blood of the covenant,
which the Lord has made with you
concerning all these words.”
Responsorial – Psalm 116.12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Resp. 13
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
What will I give to the Lord
for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation,
and call on the name of the Lord.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid.
You have freed me from my chains.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord,
yes, in the presence of all his people,
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or R. Alleluia!
Reading 2 – Hebrews 9.11-15
Brothers and sisters:
Christ having come as a high priest
of the good things to come,
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle,
not made with hands,
that is to say, not of this creation,
obtained eternal redemption
by entering once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves,
but with his own blood.
For if the blood of goats and bulls,
and the ashes of a heifer
sprinkling those who have been defiled,
sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh:
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without defect to God,
cleanse your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God?
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant,
since a death has occurred
for the redemption of the transgressions
that were under the first covenant,
that those who have been called
may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Gospel – Mark 14.12-16, 22-26
On the first day of unleavened bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover,
his disciples asked him,
“Where do you want us to go
and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples, and said to them,
“Go into the city, and there you will
meet a human carrying a pitcher of water.
Follow them, and wherever they enter in,
tell the master of the house,
‘The Teacher says,
“Where is the guest room,
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
He will himself show you a large upper room
furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”
His disciples went out, and came into the city,
and found things as he had said to them,
and they prepared the Passover.
As they were eating, he took bread,
and when he had blessed,
he broke it, and gave to them, and said,
“Take; this is my body.”
He took a cup,
and when he had given thanks,
he gave it to them.
They all drank of it.
He said to them,
“This is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for many.
Amen I say to you,
I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new
in the Kingdom of God.”
When they had sung a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
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