Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (II)

Official Translation

Reading 1 - 2 Thessalonians 1.1-5, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters,
as is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly,
and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds;
so that we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God
concerning your patience and faith in all your persecutions
and in the afflictions which you endure.

This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God,
so that you may be counted worthy of
the Kingdom of God for which you suffer.

We pray for you always, that our God may count you worthy of his calling,
and powerfully fulfill every good purpose and work of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him,
according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5 Resp. 3

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people.

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people.

Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people.

Gospel – Matthew 23.13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against humans;
You do not enter in yourselves,
nor do you give permission for those who are entering in to enter.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you travel around by sea and land to make one convert,
and when he becomes one,
you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

Woe to you, you blind guides, who say:
‘If one swears by the temple, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’
You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing,
but whoever swears by the gift that is on it is obligated.’
You blind fools! Which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Whoever swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it.
Whoever swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it.
Whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.