Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (I)

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Sirach 4.11-19

Wisdom exalts her sons and gives help to those who seek her.
Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her early will be filled with joy.
Whoever holds her fast will obtain glory, and the Lord will bless the place she enters.
Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One;
the Lord loves those who love her.
He obeys her will judge the nations, and whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure.
If they have faith in her, they will obtain her,
and their descendants will remain in possession of her.
For at first she will walk with him on tortuous paths,
she will bring fear and cowardice upon him,
and will torment him by her discipline
until she trusts him and tests him with her laws.
Then she will come straight back to him and gladden him,
and will reveal her secrets to him.
If he goes astray she will forsake him, and hand him over to his ruin.

Responsorial – Psalm 119.165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175 Resp. 165a

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

Those who love your law have great peace.
Nothing causes them to stumble.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

Let my lips utter praise,
for you teach me your statutes.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

Let my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commandments are righteousness.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

I have longed for your salvation, O Lord.
Your law is my delight.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

My soul shall live and shall praise thee:
and your decrees shall help me.

R. O Lord, those who love your law have great peace.

Gospel – Mark 9.38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,
and we forbade him, because he does not follow us.”
But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him,
for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name,
and be able at the same time to speak evil of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.”