Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (II)

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Amos 7.10-17

Amaziah the priest of Bethel
sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying,
“Amos has conspired against you
in the midst of the house of Israel.
The land is not able to bear all his words.
For Amos says, ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be
led away captive out of his land.’”

Amaziah also said to Amos,
“You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah,
and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
but do not prophesy again anymore at Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a royal house!”
Then Amos answered Amaziah,
“I was no prophet, nor was I a prophet’s son;
but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore figs;
and the Lord took me from following the flock,
and the Lord said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Now therefore listen to the Lord’s word:
‘You say, “Do not prophesy against Israel,
and do not preach against the house of Isaac.”’
Therefore the Lord says:
‘Your wife shall be a prostitute in the city,
and your sons and your daughters
shall fall by the sword,
and your land shall be divided by line;
and you yourself shall die in a land that is unclean,
and Israel shall surely be
led away captive out of their land.’”

Responsorial – Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 11 Resp. 10cd

R. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The covenant of the Lord is sure,
making the simple wise.

R. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.

R. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.

R. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,
yes, than a pile of fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
the extract of the honeycomb.

R. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Gospel – Matthew 9.1-8

Jesus entered into a boat, and crossed over,
and came into his own city.
Behold, they brought to him
someone who was paralyzed, lying on a bed.
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic,
“Child, take courage! Your sins are forgiven you.”

Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“He blasphemes.”
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said,
“Why do you think evil in your hearts?
For which is easier:
to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’
or to say ‘Get up, and walk?’
But that you may know that
the Son of Human has
authority on earth to forgive sin”
he said to the paralytic,
“Get up, and take up your mat,
and go up to your house.”
He arose and departed to his house.
But when the crowds saw it,
they marveled and glorified God,
who had given such authority to humans.