Entrance Antiphon:
You are my God, and I confess you: you are my God, and I exalt you; I will thank you, for you became my saviour. 

First Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters: 
You are no longer strangers and sojourners, 
but you are fellow citizens with the saints 
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 
Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 
in whom the whole structure is joined together 
and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 
in whom you also are built into it 
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 117:1.2 (R. Mark 16:15)

R./ Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

O praise the Lord, all you nations;
acclaim him, all you peoples!

For his merciful love has prevailed over us;
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures for ever. 

R./ Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

Alleluia. Alleluia.
You believed, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Alleluia.

Gospel: John 20:24-29

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples told him, 
“We have seen the Lord.” 
But he said to them, 
“Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, 
and place my finger in the mark of the nails, 
and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, 
and Thomas was with them. 
The doors were shut, 
but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, 
“Peace be with you.” 
Then he said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here, and see my hands; 
and put out your hand, and place it in my side; 
do not be faithless, but believing.” 
Thomas answered him, 
“My Lord and my God!” 
Jesus said to him, 
“You have believed because you have seen me? 
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
Take your hand and feel the place of the nails, and be no longer unbelieving but believe.

Entrance Antiphon
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!
First Reading: Amos 7: 10-17

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Amos

In those days: 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 thus Amos has said,

‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
    and Israel must go into exile
    away from his land.’”

And Amaziah said to Amos, 
“O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, 
and eat bread there, and prophesy there; 
but never again prophesy at Bethel, 
for it is the king’s sanctuary, 
and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

Then Amos answered Amaziah, 
“I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son;
but I am a herdsman, 
and a dresser of sycamore trees, 
and the Lord took me from following the flock, 
and the Lord said to me, 
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 
“Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.

You say, ‘Do not prophesy against Israel,
    and do not preach against the house of Isaac.’

Therefore thus says the Lord:

‘Your wife shall be a harlot in the city,
    and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
    and your land shall be parceled out by line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
    and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.’”

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (R. 10b)

R/. The judgements of the Lord are true; 
they are, all of them, just.

The law of the Lord is perfect;
it revives the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are steadfast;
they give wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right; 
they gladden the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear;
it gives light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure, 
abiding forever.
The judgements of the Lord are true;
they are, all of them, just.

They are more to be desired than gold, 
than quantities of gold.
And sweeter are they than honey,
than honey flowing from the comb. 

R/. The judgements of the Lord are true; 
they are, all of them, just.

Alleluia, alleluia.
God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Getting into a boat 
Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. 
And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; 
and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, 
“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 

And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, 
“This man is blaspheming.” 
But 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, ‘Rise and walk’? 
But that you may know that the Son of Man 
has authority on earth to forgive sins”—
he then said to the paralytic—
“Rise, take up your bed and go home.” 

And he rose and went home. 
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, 
and they glorified God, 
who had given such authority to people.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.

Entrance Antiphon
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!
First Reading: Amos 5:14-15, 21-24

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Amos

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; 
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, 
will be with you, as you have said. 
Hate evil, and love good, 
and establish justice in the gate; 
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, 
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 
“I hate, I despise your feasts, 
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings 
and cereal offerings, I will not accept them, 
and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts 
I will not look upon. 
Take away from me the noise of your songs; 
to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 
But let justice roll down like waters, 
and righteousness like an ever flowing stream,” says the Lord

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 50:7.8-9.10-11.12-13.16

R./ To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God.

“Listen, my people, I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you,
for I am God, your God.”

“I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices; 
your offerings are always before me.
I do not take more bullocks from your farms,
nor goats from among your herds.”

“For I own all the beasts of the forest,
beasts in their thousands on my hills.
I know all the birds on the mountains;
all that moves in the field belongs to me.”

“Were I hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness is mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls, 
or drink the blood of goats?”

“How can you recite my commandments,
and take my covenant on your lips,
you who despise correction,
and cast my words behind you?”

R./ To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time:
When Jesus came to the other side of the sea,
to the country of the Gadarenes,
two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs,
so fierce that no one could pass that way.
And behold, they cried out,
“What have you to do with us, O Son of God?
Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
Now a herd of many swine 
was feeding at some distance from them. 
And the demons begged him, 
“If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.” 

And he said to them, “Go.” 
So they came out and went into the swine; 
and behold, 
the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea 
and perished in the waters. 
The herdsmen fled, 
and going into the city they told everything, 
and what had happened to the demoniacs. 
And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; 
and when they saw him, 
they begged him to leave their neighbourhood.

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.

Entrance Antiphon
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy!

First Reading: Amos 3: 1-8; 4: 11-12

A reading from the Book of of the Prophet Amos

Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, 
O people of Israel, 
against the whole family which I brought up 
out of the land of Egypt:

“You only have I known
    of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
    for all your iniquities.

“Do two walk together,
    unless they have made an appointment?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
    when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
    if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
    when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
    when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
    and the people are not afraid?
Does evil befall a city,
    unless the Lord has done it?
Surely the Lord God does nothing,
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
    who can but prophesy?”

“I overthrew some of you,
    as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
    and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning;
yet you did not return to me,”
                says the Lord.

“Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel;
    because I will do this to you,
    prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 5: 5-6, 7, 8 (R. 9a)

R./ Lead me, Lord, in your justice.

You are no God who delights in evil;
no sinner is your guest.
The boastful shall not stand their ground
before your eyes.

All who do evil you despise;
all who lie you destroy.
The deceitful and those who shed blood,
the Lord detests.

Yet through the greatness of your merciful love, 
I enter your house.
I bow down before your holy temple,
in awe of you. 

R./ Lead me, Lord, in your justice.

Alleluia, alleluia.
I wait for the Lord, in his word I hope.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
When Jesus got into the boat, 
his disciples followed him. 
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, 
so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; 
but he was asleep. 
And they went and woke him, saying, 
“Save, Lord; we are perishing.” 
And he said to them, 
“Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” 
Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; 
and there was a great calm. 
And the men marveled, saying, 
“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.

Entrance Antiphon
These are the ones who, living in the flesh, planted the Church with their blood; they drank the chalice of the Lord and became the friends of God.

First Reading: Acts 12:1-11

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days: 
Herod the king laid violent hands 
upon some who belonged to the church. 
He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 
and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, 
he proceeded to arrest Peter also. 
This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 
And when he had seized him, 
he put him in prison 
and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, 
intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 
So Peter was kept in prison, 
but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, 
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, 
bound with two chains, 
and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; 
and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, 
and a light shone in the cell; 
and he struck Peter on the side 
and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” 
And the chains fell off his hands. 
And the angel said to him, 
“Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” 
And he did so. 
And he said to him, 
“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 
And he went out and followed him; 
he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, 
but thought he was seeing a vision. 
When they had passed the first and the second guard, 
they came to the iron gate leading into the city. 
It opened to them of its own accord, 
and they went out and passed on through one street, 
and immediately the angel left him. 

And Peter came to himself, and said, 
“Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel 
and rescued me from the hand of Herod 
and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9 (R. cf. 5b)

R/. From all my terrors, the Lord set me free.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
 praise of him is always in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast;
 the humble shall hear and be glad.

Glorify the Lord with me;
 together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
 from all my terrors he set me free.

Look toward him and be radiant;
 let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
 and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped
 around those who fear him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
 Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.

R/. From all my terrors, the Lord set me free.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

Brothers and sisters: 
I am already on the point of being sacrificed; 
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 laid up for me 
the crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, 
will award to me on that Day, 
and not only to me 
but also to all who have loved his appearing.

But the Lord stood by me 
and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully, 
that all the Gentiles might hear it. 
So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 
The Lord will rescue me from every evil 
and save me for his heavenly kingdom. 
To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

Alleluia, Alleluia
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, 
he asked his disciples, 
“Who do people say that the Son of man is?” 

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, 
others say Elijah, 
and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter replied, 
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him,
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona!
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but my Father who is in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter,
and on this rock, I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, 
and whatever you bind on earth 
shall be bound in heaven, 
and whatever you loose on earth 
shall be loosed in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus replied: You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.

Entrance Antiphon
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy.

First Reading: 2 Kings 4:8-11.14-16a

A reading from the second Book of Kings

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, 
where a wealthy woman lived, 
who urged him to eat some food. 
So whenever he passed that way, 
he would turn in there to eat food. 
And she said to her husband, 
“Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, 
who is continually passing our way. 
Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, 
and put there for him a bed, a table, 
a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, 
he can go in there.” 
One day he came there, 
and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 
And he said to Gehazi his servant, 
“What is to be done for her?” 
Gehazi answered, 
“Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 
He said, “Call her.” 
And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 
And he said, 
“At this season, when the time comes round, 
you shall embrace a son.”

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2-3.16-17.18-19

R/: I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord.

I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord;

Through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.

I have declared your mercy is established forever;

Your fidelity stands firm as the heavens.

How blessed the people who know your praise,

who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

who find their joy every day in your name,

who make your justice their joyful acclaim.

For you are the glory of their strength;

by your favour it is that our might is exalted.

Behold, the Lord is our shield;

He is the Holy One of Israel, our king.

R/: I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 6:3-4.8-11

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: 
All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus 
were baptized into his death. 
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, 
so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 
But if we have died with Christ, 
we believe that we shall also live with him. 
For we know that Christ being raised from the dead 
will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 
The death he died he died to sin, once for all, 
but the life he lives he lives to God. 
So you also must consider yourselves 
dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 

At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, 
“He who loves father or mother 
more than me is not worthy of me; 
and he who loves son or daughter 
more than me is not worthy of me; 
and he who does not take his cross and follow me 
is not worthy of me. 
He who finds his life will lose it, 
and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 
He who receives you receives me, 
and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 
He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet 
shall receive a prophet’s reward, 
and he who receives a righteous man 
because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 
And whoever gives to one of these little ones 
even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, 
truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.

Entrance Antiphon: Ps 44:13, 15, 16
All the richest of the people long to see your face: behind her, her maiden companions are escorted to the King: her attendants are escorted to you amid gladness and joy.

First Reading: Lamentations 2:10-14.18-19

A reading from the Book of Lamentations: 

The Lord has destroyed without mercy 
all the habitations of Jacob; 
in his wrath he has broken down the strongholds 
of the daughter of Judah; 
he has brought down to the ground in dishonour 
the kingdom and its rulers. 
The elders of the daughter of Zion 
sit on the ground in silence; 
they have cast dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; 
the maidens of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. 
My eyes are spent with weeping; 
my soul is in tumult; 
my heart is poured out in grief 
because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, 
because infants and babes faint in the streets of the city. 
They cry to their mothers, 
“Where is bread and wine?” 
as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city, 
as their life is poured out on their mothers’ bosom. 
What can I say for you, to what compare you, 
O daughter of Jerusalem? 
What can I liken to you, 
that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? 
For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can restore you? 
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; 
they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, 
but have seen for you oracles false and misleading. 
Cry aloud to the Lord! O daughter of Zion! 
Let tears stream down like a torrent day and night! 
Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite! 
Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches! 
Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! 
Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, 
who faint for hunger at the head of every street.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 74:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 20-21. (R.19b)

R/. Do not forget the life of your poor ones forever.

Why, O God, have you cast us off forever?
Why does your anger blaze at the sheep of our pasture?
Remember your flock which you claimed long ago,
the tribe you redeemed to be your own possession,
this mountain of Sion where you made your dwelling.

Turn your steps to these places that are utterly ruined!
The enemy has laid waste the whole of the holy place.
Your foes have made uproar in the midst of your assembly;
they have set up their emblems as tokens there.

They have wielded their axes on high,
as at the entrance to a grove of trees.
They have broken down all the carvings;
they have struck together with hatchet and pickaxe.
O God, they have set your holy place on fire;
they have razed and profaned the abode of your name.

Look to the covenant; each cave in the land
is a place where violence makes its home.
Do not let the oppressed be put to shame;
let the poor and the needy, bless your name.

R/. Do not forget the life of your poor ones forever.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
As Jesus entered Capernaum, 
a centurion came forward to him,
begging him and saying, 
“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, 
in terrible distress.” 
And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 

But the centurion answered him, 
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 
but only say the word, 
and my servant will be healed. 
For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; 
and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, 
and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, 
and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

When Jesus heard him, he marvelled, 
and said to those who followed him, 
“Truly, I say to you, 
not even in Israel have I found such faith. 
I tell you, many will come from east and west 
and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 
in the kingdom of heaven, 
while the sons of the kingdom 
will be thrown into the outer darkness; 
there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” 

And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; 
let it be it done for you as you have believed.” 
And the servant was healed at that very moment.

And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, 
he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; 
he touched her hand, and the fever left her, 
and she rose and served him. 
That evening they brought to him 
many who were possessed with demons; 
and he cast out the spirits with a word 
and healed all who were sick. 
This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 
“He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon:
Praise the Lord our God, for in Mary his handmaid he has fulfilled his promise of mercy to the house of Israel.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them forever.

First Reading: 2 Kings 25: 1-12

A reading from the second Book of Kings

In the ninth year of the reign of Zedekiah,
in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, 
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon 
came with all his army against Jerusalem, 
and laid siege to it; 
and they built siegeworks against it round about. 
So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 
On the ninth day of the fourth month 
the famine was so severe in the city 
that there was no food for the people of the land. 
Then a breach was made in the city; 
the king with all the men of war fled
by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, 
by the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were around the city. 
And they went in the direction of the Arabah. 
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, 
and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; 
and all his army was scattered from him. 
Then they captured the king, 
and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, 
who passed sentence upon him. 
They slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, 
and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, 
and bound him in fetters, and took him to Babylon.

In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—
which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, 
king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, 
the captain of the bodyguard, 
a servant of the king of Babylon, 
came to Jerusalem. 
And he burned the house of the Lord, 
and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; 
every great house he burned down. 
And all the army of the Chalde′ans, 
who were with the captain of the guard, 
broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 
And the rest of the people who were left in the city 
and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, 
together with the rest of the multitude, 
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile. 
But the captain of the guard 
left some of the poorest of the land 
to be vinedressers and plowmen.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Ps 137: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 (R. 6ab)

R./ O let my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not.

By the rivers of Babylon 
there we sat and wept,
remembering Sion:
on the poplars that grew there
we hung up our harps.

For it was there that they asked us,
our captors, for songs, 
our oppressors, for joy.
“Sing to us,” they said,
“one of Sion’s songs.”

O how could we sing 
the song of the Lord 
on foreign soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem, 
let my right hand wither!

O let my tongue 
cleave to my palate
if I remember you not, 
if I prize not Jerusalem
as the first of my joys! 

R./ O let my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

When Jesus came down from the mountain, 
great crowds followed him; 
and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, 
“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 

And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying,
“I will; be clean.”
And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus said to him, 
“See that you say nothing to anyone; 
but go, show yourself to the priest, 
and offer the gift that Moses commanded, 
for a proof to the people.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them forever.

First Reading: 2 Kings 24:8-17

A reading from the Second Book of Kings.

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, 
and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. 
His mother’s name was Nehushta 
the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 
And 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. 
And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city, 
while his servants were besieging it; 
and Jehoiachin the king of Judah 
gave himself up to the king of Babylon, 
himself, and his mother, and his servants, 
and his princes, and his palace officials. 
The king of Babylon took him, prisoner, 
in the eighth year of his reign, 
and carried off all the treasures of the house of the Lord, 
and the treasures of the king’s house, 
and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold 
in the temple of the Lord, 
which Solomon king of Israel had made, 
as the Lord had foretold. 
He carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, 
and all the mighty men of valour, 
ten thousand captives, 
and all the craftsmen and the smiths; 
none remained, except the poorest people of the land. 
And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon; 
the king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials, 
and the chief men of the land, 
he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 
And the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon 
all the men of valour, seven thousand, 
and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand, 
all of them strong and fit for war. 
And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, 
king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 79:1-2.3-5.8.9 (R. see 9bc)

R/. For the sake of the glory of your name, free us, O Lord.

O God, the nations have invaded your heritage;
they have profaned your holy temple.
They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
They have handed over the bodies of your servants
as food to feed the birds of heaven,
and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

They have poured out their blood like water round Jerusalem;
no one is left to bury the dead.
We have become the taunt of our neighbours,
the mockery and scorn of those around us.
How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealous anger burn like fire?

Do not remember against us
the guilt of former times.
Let your compassion hasten to meet us;
for we have been brought very low.

Help us, O God our saviour,
for the sake of the glory of your name.
Free us and forgive us our sins,
because of your name.

R/. For the sake of the glory of your name, free us, O Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ 
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, 
but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 
On that day many will say to me, 
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, 
and cast out demons in your name, 
and do many mighty works in your name?’ 
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; 
depart from me, you evildoers.’

 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine 
and does them 
will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock, 
and the rain fell, and the floods came, 
and the winds blew and beat upon that house, 
but it did not fall, 
because it had been founded on the rock. 
And everyone who hears these words of mine 
and does not do them 
will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand, 
and the rain fell, and the floods came, 
and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, 
and great was the fall of it.”

And when Jesus finished these sayings, 
the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 
for he taught them as one who had authority, 
and not as their scribes.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

Entrance Antiphon
A man was sent from God, whose name was John. He came to testify to the light, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

Listen to me, O islands, 
and pay attention, you peoples from afar. 
The Lord called me from the womb, 
from the body of my mother he named my name. 
He made my mouth like a sharp sword, 
in the shadow of his hand he hid me; 
he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 
And he said to me, “You are my servant, 
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 
But I said, “I have laboured in vain; 
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; 
yet surely my right is with the Lord, 
and my recompense with my God.” 

And now the Lord says, 
who formed me from the womb to be his servant, 
to bring Jacob back to him, 
and that Israel might be gathered to him, 
for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord, 
and my God has become my strength—
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 give you as a light to the nations, 
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1-3.13-14.15 (R. 14a)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. I thank you who wonderfully made me.

O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You yourself know my resting and my rising;
 you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down;
 you know all my ways through and through.

For it was you who formed my inmost being,
 knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I thank you who wonderfully made me;
 how wonderful are your works,
which my soul knows well!

My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being fashioned in secret
 and moulded in the depths of the earth.

R/. I thank you who wonderfully made me.
Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days: 
Paul said: “God raised up David to be our father’s king; 
of whom he testified and said, 
‘I have found in David the son of Jesse 
a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 
Of this man’s posterity 
God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, 
as he promised. 
Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance 
to all the people of Israel. 
And as John was finishing his course, he said, 
‘What do you suppose that I am? 
I am not he. 
No, but after me one is coming, 
the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ 

“Brothers and sisters, children of the family of Abraham, 
and those among you that fear God, 
to us has been sent the message of this salvation.”

The Word of the Lord
Please stand for the Gospel

Alleluia, alleluia.
You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66.80

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, 
and she gave birth to a son. 
And her neighbours and kinsfolk heard 
that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, 
and they rejoiced with her. 
And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; 
and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 
but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” 

And they said to her, 
“None of your kindred is called by this name.” 
And they made signs to his father, 
inquiring what he would have him called. 
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, 
“His name is John.” 
And they all marvelled. 
And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, 
and he spoke, blessing God. 

And fear came on all their neighbours. 
And all these things were talked about 
through all the hill country of Judea; 
and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying,
 “What then will this child be?” 
For the hand of the Lord was with him. 

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, 
and he was in the wilderness 
till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dawn from on high will visit us.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them forever.

First Reading: 2 Kings 19: 9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36

A reading from the second Book of Kings

In those days: Sennacherib, king of Assyria 
sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 
“Thus shall you speak to Hezeki′ah king of Judah: 
‘Do not let your God on whom you rely 
deceive you by promising that 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, destroying them utterly. 
And shall you be delivered?

Hezeki′ah received the letter 
from the hand of the messengers, and read it; 
and Hezeki′ah went up to the house of the Lord, 
and spread it before the Lord. 
And Hezeki′ah prayed before the Lord, and said: 
“O Lord the God of Israel, 
who art enthroned above the cherubim, 
you are the God, thou 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; 
and hear the words of Sennacherib, 
which he has sent to mock the living God. 
Of a truth, 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 were destroyed. 
So now, O Lord our God, save us, 
I beg you, from his hand, 
that all the kingdoms of the earth may know 
that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz 
sent to Hezekiah, saying, 
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: 
Your prayer to me about 
Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. 
This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him:

“She despises you, she scorns you—
    the virgin daughter of Zion;
she wags her head behind you—
    the daughter of Jerusalem.”

For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, 
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. 
The zeal of the Lord will do this.

Therefore thus says the Lord 
concerning the king of Assyria, 
He shall not come into this city 
or shoot an arrow there, 
or come before it with a shield 
or cast up a siege mound against it. 
By the way that he came, 
by the same he shall return, 
and he shall not come into this city, says the Lord. 
For I will defend this city to save it, 
for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”

And that night the angel of the Lord went forth, 
and slew a hundred and eighty-five thousand 
in the camp of the Assyrians; 
Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, 
and went home, and dwelt at Nin′eveh. 

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 48:2-3ab.3cd-4.10-11

R./ God establishes his city forever.

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty,
the joy of all the earth.

Mount Sion, in the heart of the North,
the city of the Mighty King!
God, in the midst of its citadels,
has shown himself its stronghold.

Your merciful love, O God,
we ponder in your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name,
reaches the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with saving justice. 

R./ God establishes his city forever.

Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 7:6.12-14

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Do not give dogs what is holy; 
and do not throw your pearls before swine, 
lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.

So whatever you wish that people would do to you, 
do so to them; 
for this is the law and the prophets.

“Enter by the narrow gate; 
for the gate is wide and the way is easy, 
that leads to destruction, 
and those who enter by it are many. 
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, 
and those who find it are few.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

Entrance Antiphon.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them for ever.

First Reading: 2 Kings17:5-8, 13-15a, 18

A reading from the Second Book of Kings.

In those days:
Shalmaneser, king of Assyria,
invaded all the land and came to Samaria,
and for three years he besieged it.
In the ninth year of Hoshea,
the king of Assyria captured Samaria,
and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria
and placed them in Halah,
and on the Habor, the river of Gozan,
and in the cities of the Medes.
And this was so 
because the people of Israel 
had sinned against the Lord their God, 
who had 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 customs of the nations 
whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel, 
and in the customs which the kings of Israel had introduced.

Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah 
by every prophet and every seer, saying, 
“Turn from your evil ways 
and keep my commandments and my statutes, 
in accordance with all the law which I commanded your ancestors, 
and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” 
But they would not listen, 
but were stubborn, as their ancestors had been, 
who did not believe in the Lord their God. 
They despised his statutes, 
and his covenant that he made with their ancestors, 
and the warnings which he gave them. 

Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, 
and removed them out of his sight; 
none was left but the tribe of Judah only.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 60:3.4-5.12-14 (R. 7a)

R/. With your right hand, Lord, grant salvation and give answer.

O God, you have rejected us, and broken us.
You have been angry; come back to us.

You have made the earthquake, torn it open.
Repair what is shattered, for it sways.
You have inflicted hardships on your people,
made us drink a wine that dazed us.

Have you, O God, rejected us?
Will you march with our armies no longer?
Give us help against the foe,
for human help is vain.
With God, we shall do bravely,
and he will trample down our foes.

R/. With your right hand, Lord, grant salvation and give answer.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
The word of the Lord is living and active,
discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Judge not, that you be not judged. 
For with the judgment, you pronounce you will be judged, 
and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, 
but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 
Or how can you say to your brother, 
‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ 
when there is the log in your own eye? 
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, 
and then you will see clearly 
to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon.
The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

Entrance Antiphon.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them forever.

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah said:
I hear many whispering. 
Terror is on every side! 
“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” 
say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. 
“Perhaps he will be deceived, 
then we can overcome him, 
and take our revenge on him.” 
But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; 
therefore my persecutors will stumble, 
they will not overcome me. 
They will be greatly shamed, 
for they will not succeed. 
Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. 
O Lord of hosts, who test the righteous, 
who see the heart and the mind, 
let me see your vengeance upon them, 
for to you have I committed my cause. 
Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! 
For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:7-9.13 & 16.32-34 (R. 13c)

R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord.

It is for you that I suffer taunts,
that shame has covered my face.
To my own kin, I have become an outcast,
a stranger to the children of my mother.
Zeal for your house consumes me,
and taunts against you fall on me.

But I pray to you, O Lord,
for a time of your favour.
In your great mercy, answer me, O God,
with your salvation that never fails.
Lord, answer, for your mercy is kind;
in your great compassion, turn towards me.

The poor when they see it will be glad,
and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy,
and does not spurn his own in their chains.
Let the heavens and the earth give him praise,
the seas and everything that moves in them.

R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: 
As sin came into the world through 
one person and death through sin, 
and so death spread to all people 
because all people sinned—
sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, 
but sin is not counted where there is no law. 
Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, 
even over those whose sins 
were not like the transgression of Adam, 
who was a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. 
For if many died through one person’s trespass, 
much more have the grace of God 
and the free gift in the grace of that one man 
Jesus Christ abounded for many.

The Word of the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord; and you also are witnesses.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: 
Jesus said to his apostles, 
“Have no fear of them; 
for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, 
or hidden that will not be known. 
What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; 
and what you hear whispered, 
proclaim upon the housetops. 
And do not fear those who 
kill the body but cannot kill the soul; 
rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 
And not one of them will fall to the ground 
without your Father’s will. 
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Fear not, therefore; 
you are of more value than many sparrows. 
So everyone who acknowledges me before people, 
I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 
but whoever denies me before people, 
I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon.

The eyes of all look to you, Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

Entrance Antiphon
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, by the Lord God Most High, above all women on the earth; for he has so exalted your name, that your praise shall be undying on our lips.

First Reading: 2 Chronicles 24: 17-25

A reading from the second book of Chronicles

After the death of Jehoiada 
the princes of Judah came and did obeisance to the king; 
then the king listened to them. 
And they forsook the house of the Lord, 
the God of their fathers, 
and served the Asherim and the idols. 
And wrath came upon 
Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt. 
Yet he sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord; these testified against them, but they would not give heed.

Then the Spirit of God took possession of Zechariah 
the son of Jehoiada the priest; 
and he stood above the people, and said to them, 
“Thus says God, 
‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, 
so that you cannot prosper? 
Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’” 
But they conspired against him, 
and by command of the king they stoned him 
with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. 
Thus Joash the king did not remember 
the kindness which Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, 
had shown him, but killed his son. 
And when he was dying, he said, 
“May the Lord see and avenge!”

At the end of the year 
the army of the Syrians came up against Joash. 
They came to Judah and Jerusalem, 
and destroyed all the princes of the people 
from among the people, 
and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. 
Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, the Lord delivered into their hand a very great army, 
because they had forsaken the Lord, 
the God of their fathers. 
Thus they executed judgment on Joash.

When they had departed from him, 
leaving him severely wounded, 
his servants conspired against him 
because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, 
and slew him on his bed. 
So he died; and they buried him in the city of David, 
but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings. 

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial psalm:Psalm 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34. (R. 29a)

R/. I will keep my faithful love for him always.

“With my chosen one I have made a covenant;

I have sworn to David my servant:

I will establish your descendants forever,

and set up your throne through all ages.”

“I will keep my faithful love for him always; 
with him my covenant shall last
I will establish his descendants forever,

and his throne as lasting as the days of heaven.”

“If his descendants forsake my law

and refuse to walk as I decree,
and if ever they violate my statues,

failing to keep my commands.”

“Then I will punish their offences with the rod;

then I will scourge them on account of their guilt.

But I will never take back my mercy;
my fidelity will never fail.”

R/. I will keep my faithful love for him always.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Though Jesus Christ was rich, yet for your sake he becam poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“No one can serve two masters; 
for either he will hate the one and love the other, 
or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you,
do not be anxious about your life,
what you shall eat or what you shall drink,
nor about your body, what you shall put on.
Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air:
they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
And which of you by being anxious
can add one cubit to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? 
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; 
they neither toil nor spin; 
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory 
was not clothed like one of these. 
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, 
which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, 
will he not much more clothe you, 
O you of little faith? 
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 
‘What shall we eat?’ 
or ‘What shall we drink?’ 
or ‘What shall we wear?’ 
For the Gentiles seek all these things; 
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 
and all these things shall be yours as well.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, 
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 
Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
All generations will call me blessed, for God has regarded his lowly handmaid.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!

First Reading: 2 Kings 11:L 1-4, 9-18, 20

A reading from the second Book of Kings

In those days:
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah 
saw that her son was dead, 
she arose and destroyed all the royal family. 
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, 
sister of Ahazi′ah, took Jo′ash the son of Ahaziah, 
took Joash the son of Ahaziah,
and stole him away from among the king’s sons 
who were about to be slain, 
and she put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. 
Thus she hid him from Athaliah, 
so that he was not slain; 
and he remained with her six years, 
hid in the house of the Lord, 
while Athaliah reigned over the land.

But in the seventh year Jehoiada 
sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, 
and had them come to him in the house of the Lord; 
and he made a covenant with them 
and put them under oath in the house of the Lord, 
and he showed them the king’s son.

The captains did according to all 
that Jehoiada the priest commanded, 
and each brought his men who were to go off duty on the sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the sabbath, 
and came to Jehoiada the priest. 
And the priest delivered to the captains 
the spears and shields that had been King David’s, 
which were in the house of the Lord;
and the guards stood, 
every man with his weapons in his hand, 
from the south side of the house 
to the north side of the house, 
around the altar and the house.
Then he brought out the king’s son, 
and put the crown upon him, 
and gave him the covenant; 
and they proclaimed 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 went into the house of the Lord 
to the people; 
and when she looked, 
there was the king standing by the pillar, 
according to the custom, 
and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, 
and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. 
And Athaliah tore her clothes, and cried, 
“Treason! Treason!” 
Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains 
who were set over the army, 
“Bring her out between the ranks; 
and slay with the sword any one who follows her.” 
For the priest said, 
“Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord.” 
So they laid hands on her; 
and she went through the horses’ entrance to the king’s house, 
and there she was slain.

And Jehoiada made a covenant 
between the Lord and the king and people, 
that they should be the Lord’s people; 
and also between the king and the people. 
Then all the people of the land 
went to the house of Baal, and tore it down; 
his altars and his images they broke in pieces, 
and they slew Mattan the priest of Ba′al before the altars. 
And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the Lord. 
So all the people of the land rejoiced; 
and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been slain 
with the sword at the king’s house.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 (R.13)

R/. The Lord has chosen Sion; 
he has desired it for his dwelling.

The Lord swore an oath to David, 
he will not go back on his word:

“A son, the fruit of your body, 
will I set upon your throne.

If your sons hold fast to my covenant, 
and my laws that I have taught them,

their sons, in turn, shall sit 
on your throne from age to age.”
For the Lord has chosen Sion;

He has desired it for his dwelling;
“This is my resting-place from age to age;

Here have I chosen to dwell.”

“I will make a stock sprout up for David;

I will prepare a lamp for my anointed, 
I will cover his enemies with shame,

but on him my crown shall shine. 

R/. The Lord has chosen Sion; 
he has desired it for his dwelling.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the pure in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 
where moth and rust consume 
and where thieves break in and steal, 
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust consumes 
and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, 
there will your heart be also. 

“The eye is the lamp of the body. 
So, if your eye is sound, 
your whole body will be full of light; 
but if your eye is not sound, 
your whole body will be full of darkness. 
If then the light in you is darkness, 
how great is the darkness!”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!

First Reading: Sirach 48: 1-14

A reading from the Book of Sirach

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,
    and his word burned like a torch.
He brought a famine upon them,
    and by his zeal he made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens,
    and also three times brought down fire.
How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
    And who has the right to boast which you have?
You who raised a corpse from death
    and from Hades, by the word of the Most High;
who brought kings down to destruction,
    and famous men from their beds;
and easily destroyed their dominion;

who heard rebuke at Sinai
    and judgments of vengeance at Horeb;
who anointed kings to inflict retribution,
    and prophets to succeed you. 
You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire,
    in a chariot with horses of fire;
you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written,
    to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury,
to turn the heart of the father to the son,
    and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are those who saw you,
    and those who have fallen asleep in your love;
    for we also shall surely live,

but our name, after death, will not be such. 

It was Elijah who was covered by the whirlwind,
    and Elisha was filled with his spirit;
in all his days he did not tremble before any ruler,
    and no one brought him into subjection.
Nothing was too hard for him,
    and when he was dead his body prophesied.
As in his life he did wonders,
    so in death his deeds were marvelous.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 97:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7 (R.12a)

R/. Rejoice in the Lord, you just.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice; 
let the many islands be glad.
Cloud and darkness surround him;
justice and right are the foundation of this throne. 

A fire prepares his path; 
it burns up his foes on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth looks on and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax 
before the face of the Lord,
before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice; 
all peoples see his glory.

Let those who serve idols be ashamed,

those who boast of their worthless gods.

All you angels, worship him.
R/. Rejoice in the Lord, you just.

Alleluia, alleluia.
You have received the spirit of sonship; in him we cry “Abba! Father!”
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; 
for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 
Do not be like them, 
for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 
Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, 
your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, 
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The Gospel of the Lord 

Communion Antiphon
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!

First Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1, 6-14

A reading from the second Book of Kings

Now when the Lord was about 
to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, 
Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

(They came to Jericho, and) Elijah said to Elisha, 
“Tarry here, I beg you; 
for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” 
But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, 
I will not leave you.” 
So the two of them went on. 
Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, 
and stood at some distance from them, 
as they both were standing by the Jordan. 
Then Elijah took his coat, 
and rolled it up, and struck the water, 
and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, 
till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

When they had crossed, 
Elijah said to Elisha, 
“Ask what I shall do for you, 
before I am taken from you.” 
And Elisha said, 
“I beg you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”
And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; 
yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, 
it shall be so for you; 
but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 
And as they still went on and talked, 
behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire 
separated the two of them. 
And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 
And Eli′ha saw it and he cried, 
“My father, my father! 
the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 
And he saw him no more.

Then he took hold of his own clothes 
and tore them in two pieces. 
And he took up the coat of Elijah that had fallen from him, 
and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 
Then he took the coat of Elijah that had fallen from him, 
and struck the water, saying, 
“Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” 
And when he had struck the water, 
the water was parted to the one side and to the other; 
and Elisha went over.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 31:20, 21, 24 (R.25)

R./ Be strong, let your heart take courage, 
all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, Lord, 
that you keep for those who fear you,

that you show to those who trust you

in the sight of the children of men.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
secure from human scheming;

you keep them safe within your tent

from disputing tongues.

Love the Lord, all you his saints.

The Lord guards the faithful. 
But the Lord will repay to the full
the one who acts with pride. 

R./ Be strong, let your heart take courage, 
all who hope in the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia.
If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6.16-18

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Beware of practicing your piety before people 
in order to be seen by them; 
for then you will have no reward 
from your Father who is in heaven. 

Thus, when you give alms, 
sound no trumpet before you, 
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, 
that they may be praised by people. 
Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 
But when you give alms, 
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 
so that your alms may be in secret; 
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

And when you pray, 
you must not be like the hypocrites; 
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues 
and at the street corners, that they may be seen by people. 
Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door 
and pray to your Father who is in secret; 
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you fast, 
do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, 
for they disfigure their faces 
that their fasting may be seen by people. 
Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 
that your fasting may not be seen by people 
but by your Father who is in secret; 
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!

First Reading: 1 Kings 21: 17-29

A reading from the first Book of Kings

(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 is in Samaria; 
behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, 
where he has gone to take possession. 
And you shall say to him, 
‘Thus says the Lord, 
“Have you killed, and also taken possession?”’ 
And you shall say to him, 
‘Thus says the Lord: 
“In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth 
shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”

Ahab said to Elijah, 
“Have you found me, O my enemy?” 
He answered, 
“I have found you, 
because you have sold yourself 
to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. 
Behold, I will bring evil upon you; 
I will utterly sweep you away, 
and will cut off from Ahab every male, 
bond or free, in Israel; 
and 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 anger to which you have provoked me, 
and because you have made Israel to sin. 
And of Jezebel the Lord also said, 
‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel.’ 
Any one belonging to Ahab 
who dies in the city the dogs shall eat; 
and any one of his who dies in the open country 
the birds of the air shall eat.”

(There was none who sold himself 
to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, 
whom Jezebel his wife incited. 
He did very abominably in going after idols, 
as the Amorites had done, 
whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)

And when Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes, 
and put sackcloth upon his flesh, 
and fasted and lay in sackcloth, 
and went about dejectedly. 
And the word of the Lord 
came to Eli′jah the Tishbite, saying, 
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? 
Because he has humbled himself before me, 
I will not bring the evil in his days; 
but in his son’s days I will bring the evil upon his house.”

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16 (R. 3a)

R./ Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, 
according to your merciful love;
according to your great compassion, 
blot out my transgressions.

Wash me completely from my iniquity, 
and cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions, truly I know them; 
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; 

what is evil in your sight I have done.

Turn away your face from my sins,

and blot out all my guilt.

Rescue me from bloodshed, O God,

God of my salvation,

And then my tongue shall ring out your justice. 

R./ Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Alleluia, alleluia.
A new commandment I give to you, says the Lord, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples,
“You have heard that it was said, 
‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 
But I say to you, 
love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 
so that you may be sons and daughters of your Father who is in heaven; 
for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, 
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? 
Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 
And if you salute only your brethren, 
what more are you doing than others? 
Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 
You, therefore, must be perfect, 
as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour!

First Reading: 1 Kings 21: 1-16

A reading from the first Book of Kings

At that time:
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, 
beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 
And after this Ahab said to Naboth, 
“Give me your vineyard, 
that I may have it for a vegetable garden, 
because it is near my house; 
and I will give you a better vineyard for it; 
or, if it seems good to you, 
I will give you its value in money.”
But Naboth said to Ahab, 
“The Lord forbid that I should 
give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 
And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen 
because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; 
for he had said, 
“I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 
And he lay down on his bed, 
and turned away his face, 
and would eat no food.

But Jezebel his wife came to him, 
and said to him, 
“Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” 
And 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 please you, 
I will give you another vineyard for it’; 
and he answered, 
‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”
And Jezebel his wife said to him, 
“Do you now govern Israel? 
Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be cheerful; 
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 she sent the letters to the elders 
and the nobles who dwelt with Naboth in his city. 
And she wrote in the letters, 
“Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people; 
and set two base fellows opposite him, 
and let them bring a charge against him, saying, 
‘You have cursed God and the king.’ 
Then take him out, and stone him to death.” 
And the men of his city, 
the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city, 
did as Jezebel had sent word 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. 
And the two base fellows came in 
and sat opposite him; 
and the base fellows brought a charge against Naboth, 
in the presence of the people, saying, 
“Naboth cursed God and the king.” 
So they took him outside the city, 
and stoned him to death with stones. 
Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, 
“Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth 
had been 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.” 
And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, 
Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard 
of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 5:2-3, 5-6, 7 (R. 2b)

R./ O Lord, give heed to my sighs.

To my words give ear, O Lord;
give heed to my sighs.
Attend to the sound of my cry, 
my king and my God.

You are no God who delights in evil,
no sinner is your guest. 
The boastful shall not stand their ground

before your eyes.

All who do evil you despise;
all who lie you destroy.

The deceitful and those who shed blood,

the Lord detests. 

R./ O Lord, give heed to my sighs.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
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 if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, 
turn to him the other also; 
and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, 
let him have your cloak as well; 
and if anyone forces you to go one mile, 
go with him two miles. 
Give to him who begs from you, 
and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
Hear my voice, O Lord, for I have called to you; be my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Saviour.

First Reading: Exodus 19:2-6a.

A reading from the Book of Exodus.

In those days: 
When the people of Israel came into the wilderness of Sinai, 
they encamped in the wilderness; 
and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 
And Moses went up to God, 
and the Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, 
“Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, 
and tell the people of Israel: 
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, 
and how I bore you on eagles’ wings 
and brought you to myself. 
Now therefore, 
if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, 
you shall be my own possession among all peoples; 
for all the earth is mine, 
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1-2.3.5 (R. 3c)

R/. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.
He made us; we belong to him.
We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age.

R/. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Second Reading: Romans 5:6-11

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: 
While we were yet helpless, 
at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 
Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man—
though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. 
But God shows his love for us 
in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 
Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, 
much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 
For if while we were enemies 
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, 
much more, now that we are reconciled, 
shall we be saved by his life. 
Not only so, 
but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
through whom we have now received our reconciliation.

The Word of the Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 9:36-10:8

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: 
When Jesus saw the crowds, 
he had compassion for them, 
because they were harassed and helpless, 
like sheep without a shepherd. 
Then he said to his disciples,
 “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; 
pray therefore the Lord of the harvest 
to send out labourers into his harvest.” 
And he called to him his twelve disciples 
and gave them authority over unclean spirits, 
to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. 
The names of the twelve apostles are these: 
first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; 
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 
Philip and Bartholomew; 
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; 
James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 
Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 
These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them,
 “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, 
and enter no town of the Samaritans, 
but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 
And preach as you go, saying, 
‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 
Heal the sick, raise the dead, 
cleanse lepers, cast out demons.
You received without pay, give without pay.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Entrance Antiphon
My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.

First Reading: Is 61:9-11 (No. 707(9) p. 1875 of Daily Missal)

A reading from the book of Isaiah 

The descendants of my people shall be known among the nations,
    and their offspring in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
    that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
    my soul shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to spring forth before all the nations.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: 1 Sam 2:1.4-5.6-7(No. 709(1) p.1878)

R/. My heart exults in the Lord, my Saviour.

My heart exults in the Lord;
    my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.

The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.

The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low, he also exalts.

He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.

R/. My heart exults in the Lord, my Saviour.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who kept the word of God, and pondered it in her heart.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Lk 2:41-51 (p.1640 of Daily Missal)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year 
at the feast of the Passover. 
And when he was twelve years old, 
they went up according to custom; 
and when the feast was ended, 
as they were returning, 
the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 
His parents did not know it,  
but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, 
and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 
and when they did not find him, 
they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 
After three days they found him in the temple, 
sitting among the teachers, 
listening to them and asking them questions; 
and all who heard him were amazed 
at his understanding and his answers. 

And when they saw him they were astonished; 
and his mother said to him, 
“Son, why have you treated us so? 
Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 

And he said to them, 
“How is it that you sought me? 
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.  
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, 
and was obedient to them; 
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Mary treasured all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Entrance Antiphon
The designs of his heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

First Reading:Deuteronomy 7:6-11

A reading from the Book of the Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people
“You are a people holy to the Lord your God; 
the Lord your God has chosen you 
to be a people for his own possession, 
out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. 
It was not because you 
were more in number than any other people 
that the Lord set his love upon you and chose you, 
for you were the fewest of all peoples; 
but it is because the Lord loves you, 
and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers, 
that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, 
and redeemed you from the house of bondage, 
from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, 
the faithful God who keeps covenant 
and steadfast love with those who love him 
and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 
and requites to their face those who hate him, by destroying them; 
he will not be slack with him who hates him, 
he will requite him to his face. 
You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment, 
and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2.3-4.6-7.8 & 10 (R. 17ab)

R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting 
upon those who hold him in fear.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits.

It is the Lord who forgives all your sins,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with mercy and compassion,

The Lord does just deeds,
gives full justice to all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
and his deeds to the children of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our faults. 

R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting 
upon those who hold him in fear.

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-16

A reading from the First Letter of Saint John.

Brothers and sisters, 
let us love one another; 
for love is of God, 
and he who loves is born of God and knows God. 
He who does not love does not know God; 
for God is love. 
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, 
that God sent his only Son into the world, 
so that we might live through him. 
In this is love, 
not that we loved God but that he loved us 
and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. 
Brothers and sisters, if God so loved us, 
we also ought to love one another. 
No one has ever seen God; 
if we love one another, 
God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, 
because he has given us of his own Spirit. 
And we have seen and testify that 
the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, 
God abides in him, and he in God. 
So we know and believe the love God has for us. 
God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, 
and God abides in them. 

The Word of the Lord
Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yolk upon you, says the Lord; and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.
Alleluia.

Gospel:Matthew 11:25-30

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time Jesus declared, 
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, 
that you have hidden these things from the wise 
and understanding and revealed them to infants; 
yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 
All things have been delivered to me by my Father, 
and no one knows the Son except the Father, 
and no one knows the Father except the Son 
and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; 
for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 
and you will find rest for your souls. 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
Thus says the Lord: Let whoever is thirsty come to me and drink. Streams of living water will flow from within the one who believes in me.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Acts 11:24
Blessed is this holy man who was worthy to be numbered among the Apostles, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.

First Reading: Acts 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days:
A great number that believed turned to the Lord. 
News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, 
and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; 
and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord 
with steadfast purpose; 
for he was a good man, 
full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 
And a large company was added to the Lord. 
So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. 
For a whole year they met with the church, 
and taught a large company of people; 
and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, 
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, 
Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, 
the Holy Spirit said, 
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul 
for the work to which I have called them.” 
Then after fasting and praying 
they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 (R. 2b)

R/. The Lord has shown his deliverance to the nations.

O sing a new song to the Lord, 
for he has worked wonders. 
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.

The Lord has made known his salvation,
has shown his deliverance to the nations. 
He has remembered his merciful love
and his truth for the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth 
have seen the salvation of our God. 
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song, 
and sing out your praise.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn,
raise a shout before the King, the Lord.

R/. The Lord has shown his deliverance to the nations.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, to the close of the age. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 10: 7-13

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his apostles, 
“Preach as you go, saying, 
‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 
Heal the sick, raise the dead, 
cleanse lepers, cast out demons. 
You received without pay, give without pay. 
Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 
no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, 
nor sandals, nor a staff; 
for the laborer deserves his food. 
And whatever town or village you enter, 
find out who is worthy in it, 
and stay with him until you depart. 
As you enter the house, salute it. 
And if the house is worthy, 
let your peace come upon it; 
but if it is not worthy, 
let your peace return to you. 

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.
First Reading: 1 Kings 18: 20-39

A reading from the first Book of Kings.

In those days:
King Ahab sent to all the people of Israel, 
and gathered the prophets of Baal together at Mount Carmel.
And Elijah came near to all the people, and said, 
“How long will you go limping 
with two different opinions? 
If the Lord is God, follow him; 
but if Baal, then follow him.” 
And the people did not answer him a word.
Then Eli′jah said to the people, 
“I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; 
but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 
Let two bulls be given to us; 
and let them choose one bull for themselves, 
and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, 
but put no fire to it; 
and I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, 
and put no fire to it.
And you call on the name of your god 
and I will call on the name of the Lord; 
and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” 
And all the people answered, 
“It is well spoken.” 
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, 
“Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, 
for you are many; 
and call on the name of your god, 
but put no fire to it.” 
And they took the bull which was given them, 
and they prepared it, 
and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, 
saying, “O Baal, answer us!” 
But there was no voice, and no one answered. 
And they limped about the altar which they had made. 
And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, 
“Cry aloud, for he is a god; 
either he is musing, or he has gone aside, 
or he is on a journey, 
or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 
And they cried aloud, 
and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, 
until the blood gushed out upon them. 
And as midday passed, 
they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice; no one answered, no one heeded.

Then Elijah said to all the people, 
“Come near to me”; 
and all the people came near to him. 
And he repaired the altar of the Lord 
that had been thrown down;
Elijah took twelve stones, 
according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, 
to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, 
“Israel shall be your name”; 
and with the stones he built an altar 
in the name of the Lord. 
And he made a trench about the altar, 
as great as would contain two measures of seed. 
And he put the wood in order, 
and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. 
And he said, “Fill four jars with water, 
and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.” 
And he said, “Do it a second time”; 
and they did it a second time. 
And he said, “Do it a third time”; 
and they did it a third time. 
And the water ran round about the altar, 
and filled the trench also with water.

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, 
Elijah the prophet came near and said, 
“O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, 
let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, 
and that I am thy servant, 
and that I have done all these things at thy word. 
Answer me, O Lord, answer me, 
that this people may know that you, 
O Lord, are God, 
and that you have turned their hearts back.” 
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. 
And when all the people saw it, 
they fell on their faces; and they said, 
“The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 16:1-2a. 4.5 and 8.11 (R.1)

R./ Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord”. 

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
I will not take part in their offerings of blood.
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; 
you yourself who secure my lot.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

You will show me the path of life, 
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever.

R./ Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, O Lord. Guide me in your truth.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“Do not think that I have come 
to abolish the law and the prophets; 
I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. 
For truly, I say to you, 
till heaven and earth pass away, 
not an iota, not a dot, 
will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 
Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments 
and teaches people so, 
shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; 
but the one who does them and teaches them 
shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.

Entrance Antiphon.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom shall I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:7-16

A reading from the First Book of Kings.

In those days: 
The brook, [where Elijah was hiding] dried up 
because there was no rain in the land. 

Then the word of the Lord came to him, 
“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, 
and dwell there. 
Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed 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, 
“Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 
And as she was going to bring it, 
he called to her and said, 
“Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 

And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, 
I have nothing baked, 
only a handful of meal in a jar, 
and a little oil in a pitcher; 
and now, I am gathering a couple of sticks, 
that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, 
that we may eat it, and die.” 

And Elijah said to her, “Fear not; 
go and do as you have said, 
but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, 
and afterwards make for yourself and your son. 
For thus says the Lord the God of Israel, 
‘The jar of meal shall not be spent, 
and the pitcher of oil shall not fail, 
until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 

And she went and did as Elijah said, 
and she, and he, and her household ate for many days. 
The jar of meal was not spent, 
neither did the pitcher of oil fail, 
according to the word of the Lord
which he spoke by Elijah.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4:2-3,4-5,7a and 8 (R.7b)

 R/. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord

I called, the God of justice gave me answer,
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
Children of man, how long will my glory be dishonoured,
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

Know that the Lord works wonders for his faithful one;
the Lord will hear me whenever I call him.
Tremble, do not sin; ponder on your bed and be still.

“What can bring us happiness?” many say.
You have put into my heart a greater joy
than abundance of grain and new wine can provide.

R/. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: 
Jesus said to his disciples, 
“You are the salt of the earth; 
but if salt has lost its taste, 
how shall its saltiness be restored? 
It is no longer good for anything 
except to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by people.

 “You are the light of the world. 
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel, 
but on a stand, 
and it gives light to all in the house. 
Let your light so shine before people,
that they may see your good works 
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread? When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.

First Reading: 1 Kings 17: 1-6

A reading from the first Book of Kings

In those days:
Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 
“As the Lord the God of Israel lives, 
before whom I stand, 
there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, 
except by my word.”
And the word of the Lord came to him, 
“Depart from here and turn eastward, 
and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, 
that is east of the Jordan. 
You shall drink from the brook, 
and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 
So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; 
he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith 
that is east of the Jordan. 
And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, 
and bread and meat in the evening; 
and he drank from the brook. 

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (R. 2)

R/. Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will keep your foot from stumbling.
Your guard will never slumber.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel’s guard.

The Lord your guard, the Lord your shade
at your right hand.
By day the sun shall not smite you,
nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil;
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming,
both now and forever. 

R/. Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: 
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, 
and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 
And he opened his mouth and 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 earth.” 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
for they shall be satisfied.” 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they shall be called children of God.” 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you 
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 
Rejoice and be glad, 
for your reward is great in heaven, 
for so people persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.

Entrance Antiphon.
He fed them with the finest wheat and satisfied them with honey from the rock.

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.

Moses spoke to the people, saying, 
“You shall remember all the way 
which the Lord your God has led you 
these forty years in the wilderness, 
that he might humble you, 
testing you to know what was in your heart, 
whether you would keep his commandments, or not. 
And he humbled you and let you hunger 
and fed you with manna, 
which you did not know, 
nor did your fathers know; 
that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything 
that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. 
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, 
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 
out of the house of bondage, 
who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, 
with its fiery serpents and scorpions 
and thirsty ground where there was no water, 
who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 
who fed you in the wilderness with manna 
which your fathers did not know.”

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147:12-13.14-15.19-20 (R. 12a)

R/: O Jerusalem glorify the Lord!

O Jerusalem glorify the Lord!
O Sion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.

He established peace on your borders;

he gives you your fill of finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth,

and swiftly runs his command.

He reveals his word to Jacob;

to Israel, his decrees and judgements.

He has not dealt thus with other nations;

He has not taught them his judgements.

R/: O Jerusalem glorify the Lord!

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

A reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters: 

The cup of blessing which we bless, 
is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? 
The bread which we break, 
is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 
Because there is one bread, 
we who are many are one body, 
for we all partake of the one bread.

The Word of the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven, says the Lord; if anyone eats this bread he will live forever.
Alleluia.

Gospel:John 6:51-58

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

At that time: 
Jesus said to the crowds of the Jews
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven; 
if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; 
and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, 
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 
So Jesus said to them, 
“Truly, truly, I say to you, 
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, 
you have no life in you; 
he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, 
and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, 
and I in him. 
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, 
so he who eats me will live because of me. 
This is the bread which came down from heaven, 
not such as the fathers ate and died; 
he who eats this bread will live for ever.” 

The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him says the Lord.

Entrance Antiphon:
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who bore the Creator of all things. You became the Mother of your Maker, and you remain for ever Virgin.

First Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 1-8

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

Beloved:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus 
who is to judge the living and the dead, 
and by his appearing and his kingdom: 
preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, 
convince, rebuke, and exhort, 
be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 
For the time is coming when people 
will not endure sound teaching, 
but having itching ears they will 
accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 
and will turn away from listening to the truth 
and wander into myths. 
As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, 
do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

For I am already on the point of being sacrificed;
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 laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, 
will award to me on that Day, 
and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 71: 8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 22 (R. 15ab)

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

My mouth is filled with your praise,
with your glory, all the day long.
Do not reject me now that I am old;
when my strength fails do not forsake me.

But as for me, I will always hope,
and praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your justice,
and all the day long of your salvation.

I will come with praise of your might, O Lord;
I will call to mind your justice, yours, O Lord, alone.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and I proclaim your wonders still.

So I will give you thanks on the lyre
for your faithfulness, O my God.
To you will I sing with the harp,
to you, the Holy One of Israel. 

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time: 
In his teaching Jesus said, 
“Beware of the scribes, 
who like to go about in long robes, 
and to have salutations in the market places 
and the best seats in the synagogues 
and the places of honor at feasts, 
who devour widows’ houses 
and for a pretense make long prayers. 
They will receive the greater condemnation.”

And he sat down opposite the treasury, 
and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. 
Many rich people put in large sums. 
And a poor widow came, 
and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 
And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, 
“Truly, I say to you, 
this poor widow has put in more than all those 
who are contributing to the treasury. 
For they all contributed out of their abundance; 
but she out of her poverty 
has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Communion Antiphon: Lk 1:49
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Entrance Antiphon
This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock.

First Reading: 2 Timothy 3: 10-17

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

Brothers and sisters:

You have observed my teaching, 
my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, 
my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, 
and my sufferings what befell me at Antioch, 
at Iconium, and at Lystra what persecutions I endured; 
yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus 
will be persecuted, while evel men and impostors 
will go from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. 
But as for you, continue in what you have learned 
and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with 
the Sacred Writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 
All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, 
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 
that the man of God may be complete, 
equipped for every good work.

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial psalm: Ps 119: 157, 160, 161, 165, 166, 168 (R.165a)

R/. The lovers of your law have great peace, Lord.

Though my foes and oppressors are countless, 
I have not swerved from your decrees.

Truth is the sum of your word;
all your just judgements are eternal.

Though princes oppress me without cause,
my heart reveres your word.

The lovers of your law have great peace;
no stumbling block for them.

I await your salvation, O Lord;
I fulfil your commands.

I obey your precepts and decrees;
all my ways are before you.

R/. The lovers of your law have great peace, Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia.
If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 12:35-37

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time: 
As Jesus taught in the temple, he said, 
“How can the scribes say 
that the Christ is the son of David? 
David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, 
‘The Lord said to my Lord, 
Sit at my right hand, 
till I put your enemies under your feet.’ 
David himself calls him Lord; 
so how is he, his son?” 
And the great throng heard him gladly.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon: cf. Mt 16:24
Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, says the Lord.

Entrance Antiphon 

Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant, 
has an eternal priesthood because he remains for ever.

First Reading Genesis 22:9–18

A reading from the Book of Genesis

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord will provide; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’ And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.’

The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40(39):7-8a, 10-11ab, 17 (± 8a, 9a)±

 R./ Behold I have come, Lord, to do your will.

You delight not in sacrifice and offering, 
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and sin offering.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come.’
Your righteousness I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord.
Your saving help I have not hidden in my heart; 
of your faithfulness and salvation I have spoken,

O let there be rejoicing and gladness 
for all who seek you, 
Let them ever say, ‘The Lord is great,’ 
who long for your salvation.

R./ Behold I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Alleluia, alleluia. Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has exalted him and given him a name which is above every name. Alleluia. 

Gospel: Matthew 26:36-42

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Wis 3: 6-7, 9
As gold in the furnace, the Lord put his chosen to the test; as sacrificial offerings, he took them to himself; and in due time they will be honoured, and grace and peace will be with the elect of God. 

First Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 1-3, 6-12

The beginning of the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus 
by the will of God according to the promise of the life 
which is in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father 
and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, 
as did my fathers, 
when I remember you constantly in my prayers.
For this reason I remind you 
to rekindle the gift of God that is within you 
through the laying on of my hands; 
for God did not give us a spirit of timidity 
but a spirit of power and love and self-control.

Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, 
nor of me his prisoner, 
but take your share of suffering for the gospel 
in the power of God, who saved us 
and called us with a holy calling, 
not in virtue of our works 
but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace 
which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, 
and now has manifested 
through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, 
who abolished death and brought life 
and immortality to light through the gospel. 
For this gospel I was appointed a preacher 
and apostle and teacher, 
and therefore I suffer as I do. 
But I am not ashamed, 
for I know whom I have believed, 
and I am sure that he is able 
to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial psalm: Ps 123:1-2ab.2cdef (R.1a)

R./ To you, O Lord, have I lifted up my eyes.

To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens. 
Behold, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords.

Like the eyes of a servant
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God,
till he show us his mercy.

R./ To you, O Lord, have I lifted up my eyes.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; he who believes in me shall never die. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 12: 18-27

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time: 
Sadducees came to Jesus, 
who say that there is no resurrection; 
and they asked him a question, saying, 
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 
if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, 
but leaves no child, 
the man must take the wife, 
and raise up children for his brother. 
There were seven brothers; 
the first took a wife, 
and when he died left no children; 
and the second took her, and died, 
leaving no children; 
and the third likewise; 
and the seven left no children. 
Last of all the woman also died. 
In the resurrection whose wife will she be? 
For the seven had her as wife.

” Jesus said to them, “Is not this why you are wrong, 
that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 
For when they rise from the dead, 
they neither marry nor are given in marriage, 
but are like angels in heaven. 
And as for the dead being raised, 
have you not read in the book of Moses, 
in the passage about the bush, 
how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, 
and the God of Isaac, 
and the God of Jacob’? 
He is not God of the dead, but of the living; 
you are quite wrong.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Mt 9:13
How precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his holy ones.

Entrance Antiphon:
The souls of the Saints are rejoicing in heaven, the Saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever.

First Reading: 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Peter.

Brothers and sisters: 

Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, 
because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, 
and the elements will melt with fire! 
But according to his promise 
we wait for new heavens and a new earth 
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, 
be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, 
and at peace. 
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, 
beware lest you be carried away 
with the error of lawless men 
and lose your own stability. 
But grow in the grace and knowledge 
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
To him be the glory both now 
and to the day of eternity. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial psalm: 90:2.3-4.10.14 &16

R./ O Lord, you have been our refuge, 
from generation to generation.

Before the mountains were born,
or the earth or the world were brought forth,
you are the God, from age to age.

Turn man back to dust, 
and say, “Return, O children of men.”
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
or like a watch in the night.

Seventy years is the span of our days, 
or eighty if we are strong.
And most of these are toil and pain.
They pass swiftly and we are gone.

At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let your deed be seen by your servants,
and your glorious power by their children. 

R./ O Lord, you have been our refuge,
from generation to generation.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we might know what is the hope to which he has called us.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 12: 13-17

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

At that time: 
They sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees 
and some of the Herodians,
to entrap him in his talk. 
And they came and said to him, 
“Teacher, we know that you are true,
and care for no man; 
for you do not regard the position of people, 
but truly teach the way of God. 
Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 
Should we pay them, or should we not?” 
But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, 
“Why put me to the test? 
Bring me a coin, and let me look at it.” 
And they brought one. 
And he said to them, 
“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 
They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 
Jesus said to them, 
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,
 and to God the things that are God’s.” 
And they were amazed at him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Luke 22: 28-30
It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.

Entrance Antiphon: Ps 119: 85, 46
The wicked have told me lies, but not so is your law: I spoke of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded. 

First Reading: 2 Peter 1:2-7

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Peter.

Brothers and sisters: 

May grace and peace be multiplied to you 
in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things 
that pertain to life and godliness, 
through the knowledge of him 
who called us to his own glory and excellence,
by which he has granted to us his precious 
and very great promises, 
that through these you may escape from the corruption 
that is in the world because of passion, 
and become partakers of the divine nature. 
For this very reason make every effort 
to supplement your faith with virtue, 
and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control, 
and self-control with steadfastness, 
and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, 
and brotherly affection with love. 

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial psalm: Ps 91:1-2.14-15ab.15c-16 (R. See 2b)

R./ O my God, I trust in you.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
and abides in the shade of the Almighty,
says to the Lord, “My refuge, 
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”

Since he clings to me in love, I will free him,
protect him, for he knows my name.
When he calls on me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress. 

I will deliver him, and give him glory.
With length of days I will content him;
I will show him my saving power. 

R./ O my God, I trust in you.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead; you have loved us and washed away our sins in your blood.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 12: 1-12

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

At that time: 
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests 
and the scribes and the elders in parables. 
“A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, 
and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, 
and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 
When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, 
to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 
And they took him and beat him, 
and sent him away empty-handed. 
Again he sent to them another servant, 
and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 
And he sent another, and him they killed; 
and so with many others, some they beat and some they killed. 
He had still one other, a beloved son; 
finally, he sent him to them, saying, 
‘They will respect my son.’ 
But those tenants said to one another, 
‘This is the heir; 
come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 
And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? 
He will come and destroy the tenants, 
and give the vineyard to others. 
Have you not read this scripture:

 ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’?”

And they tried to arrest him, but feared the multitude, 
for they perceived that he had told the parable against them; 
so they left him and went away.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 2:2
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Entrance Antiphon.

Blest be God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit: for he has shown us his merciful love.

First Reading: Exodus 34:4b-6.8-9

A reading from the Book of Exodus.

In those days: 
Moses rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, 
as the Lord had commanded him, 
and took in his hand two tables of stone. 
And the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, 
and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 
The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, 
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, 
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” 
And Moses made haste to bow his head toward the earth, 
and worshipped. 
And he said, 
“If now I have found favour in your sight, O Lord, 
let the Lord, I pray you, go in the midst of us, 
although it is a stiff-necked people; 
and pardon our iniquity and our sin, 
and take us for your inheritance.”

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:29-30.31.33.32.34 (R. cf. 29b)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm

R/. You are to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers,
and to be praised and highly exalted forever;
And blessed is your glorious, holy name
and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory
and to be extolled and highly glorified forever.

Blessed are you upon the throne of your kingdom
and to be extolled and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you, who sittest upon cherubim and lookest
upon the deeps, and to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven
and to be sung and glorified forever.

R/. You are to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

A reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters, rejoice. 
Mend your ways, heed my appeal, 
agree with one another, live in peace, 
and the God of love and peace will be with you. 
Greet one another with a holy kiss. 
All the saints greet you. 
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God 
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Word of the Lord.

Please stand for the Gospel.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
Alleluia.

Gospel: John 3:16-18

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, 
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, 
not to condemn the world, 
but that the world might be saved through him. 
He who believes in him is not condemned; 
he who does not believe is condemned already, 
because he has not believed 
in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon.

Since you are children of God, God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son, the Spirit who cries out: Abba, Father.

Entrance Antiphon
Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King who rules heaven and earth forever.

First Reading: Jude 1: 17, 20b-25

A reading from the Book of Jude

You must remember, beloved, 
the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Build yourselves up on your most holy faith; 
pray in the Holy Spirit; 
keep yourselves in the love of God; 
wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 
And convince some, who doubt; 
save some, by snatching them out of the fire; 
on some have mercy with fear, 
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 
Now to him who is able to keep you 
from falling and to present you without blemish 
before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 
to the only God, 
our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, 
before all time and now and for ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 63:2.3-4.5-6 (R. See 2b)

R/. For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you;
for you my soul is thirsting.
For you my flesh is pining,
like a dry, weary land without water.

I have come before you in the sanctuary,
to behold your strength and your glory.
Your loving mercy is better than life;
my lips will speak your praise.

I will bless you all my life;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet;
with joyful lips, my mouth shall praise you.

R/. For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

Alleluia, Alleluia. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 11:27-33

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

At that time: 
Jesus and the disciples came again to Jerusalem. 
And as he was walking in the temple, 
the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 
and they said to him, 
“By what authority are you doing these things, 
or who gave you this authority to do them?” 

Jesus said to them, 
“I will ask you a question; 
answer me, 
and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from people? 
Answer me.” 
And they argued with one another, 
“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ 
he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 
But shall we say, ‘From people’?”—
they were afraid of the people, 
for all held that John was a real prophet. 
So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” 

And Jesus said to them, 
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

Entrance Antiphon
The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.

First Reading: 1 Peter 4: 7-13

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter

Beloved:

The end of all things is at hand; 
therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. 
Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, 
since love covers a multitude of sins. 
Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another 
As each has received a gift, 
employ it for one another,
as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God;
whoever renders service, 
as one who renders it by strength which God supplies, 
In order that in everything 
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 
To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal 
which comes upon you to prove you, 
as though something strange were happening to you. 
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, 
that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 

The Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13 (R. 13b)

R/. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Say to the nations, “The Lord is king.”
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad;
let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
Let the land and all it bears rejoice.

Then will all the trees of the wood shout for joy.
At the presence of the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice;
he will govern the peoples with his truth.

R/. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 11:11-25

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus entered Jerusalem [amid acclamations from the crowd,] 
and went into the temple; 
and when he had looked round at everything, 
as it was already late, 
he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

On the following day, 
when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 
And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, 
he went to see if he could find anything on it. 
When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, 
for it was not the season for figs. 
And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” 
And his disciples heard it.

And they came to Jerusalem. 
And he entered the temple and began to drive out 
those who sold and those who bought in the temple, 
and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers 
and the seats of those who sold pigeons; 
and he would not allow anyone 
to carry anything through the temple. 
And he taught, and said to them, 
“Is it not written, 
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? 
But you have made it a den of robbers.” 
And the chief priests and the scribes heard it 
and sought a way to destroy him; 
for they feared him, 
because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. 
And when evening came, they went out of the city.

As they passed by in the morning, 
they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 
And Peter remembered and said to him, 
“Master, look! 
The fig tree which you cursed has withered.” 

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 
‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ 
and does not doubt in his heart, 
but believes that what he says will come to pass, 
it will be done for him. 
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, 
believe that you receive it, and you will. 
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, 
if you have anything against anyone; 
so that your Father also who is in heaven 
may forgive you your trespasses.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.