Reading 1 Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a When the angel Raphael and Tobiah had entered Media and were getting close to Ecbatana,Raphael said to the boy,"Tobiah, my brother!"He replied: "Here I am!"He said: "Tonight we must stay with Raguel, who is a relative of yours.He has a daughter named Sarah."So he brought him to the house of Raguel,whom they found seated by his courtyard gate.They greeted him first.He said to them, "Greetings to you too, brothers!Good health to you, and welcome!"And he brought them into his home.Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flockand gave them a cordial reception.When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael,"Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marrymy kinswoman Sarah."Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy:"Eat and drink and be merry tonight,for no man is more entitledto marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother.Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you,because you are my closest relative.But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.I have given her in marriage to seven men,all of whom were kinsmen of ours,and all died on the very night they approached her.But now, son, eat and drink.I am sure the Lord will look after you both."Tobiah answered,"I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me."Raguel said to him: "I will do it.She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses.Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven!Take your kinswoman;from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved.She is yours today and ever after.And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both.May he grant you mercy and peace." Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him.He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words:"Take her according to the law.According to the decree written in the Book of Mosesshe is your wife.Take her and bring her back safely to your father.And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity."Raguel then called Sarah's mother and told her to bring a scroll,so that he might draw up a marriage contractstating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wifeaccording to the decree of the Mosaic law.Her mother brought the scroll,and Raguel drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals.Afterward they began to eat and drink.Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said,"My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there."She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told,and brought the girl there.After she had cried over her, she wiped away the tears and said:"Be brave, my daughter.May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief.Courage, my daughter."Then she left.When the girl's parents left the bedroomand closed the door behind them,Tobiah arose from bed and said to his wife,"My love, get up.Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on usand to grant us deliverance."She got up, and they started to prayand beg that deliverance might be theirs.And they began to say:"Blessed are you, O God of our fathers,praised be your name forever and ever.Let the heavens and all your creationpraise you forever.You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eveto be his help and support;and from these two the human race descended.You said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone;let us make him a partner like himself.'Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of minenot because of lust,but for a noble purpose.Call down your mercy on me and on her,and allow us to live together to a happy old age."They said together, "Amen, amen," and went to bed for the night. Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;Blessed shall you be, and favored.R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;Your children like olive plantsaround your table. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed deathand brought life to light through the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:28-34 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,"Which is the first of all the commandments?"Jesus replied, "The first is this:Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.The second is this:You shall love your neighbor as yourself.There is no other commandment greater than these."The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.You are right in saying,He is One and there is no other than he.And to love him with all your heart,with all your understanding,with all your strength,and to love your neighbor as yourselfis worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."And no one dared to ask him any more questions. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a Grief-stricken in spirit, I, Tobit, groaned and wept aloud.Then with sobs I began to pray:"You are righteous, O Lord,and all your deeds are just;All your ways are mercy and truth;you are the judge of the world.And now, O Lord, may you be mindful of me,and look with favor upon me.Punish me not for my sins,nor for my inadvertent offenses,nor for those of my ancestors. "We sinned against you,and disobeyed your commandments.So you handed us over to plundering, exile, and death,till you made us the talk and reproach of all the nationsamong whom you had dispersed us."Yes, your judgments are many and truein dealing with me as my sinsand those of my ancestors deserve.For we have not kept your commandments,nor have we trodden the paths of truth before you."So now, deal with me as you please,and command my life breath to be taken from me,that I may go from the face of the earth into dust.It is better for me to die than to live,because I have heard insulting calumnies,and I am overwhelmed with grief."Lord, command me to be delivered from such anguish;let me go to the everlasting abode;Lord, refuse me not.For it is better for me to diethan to endure so much misery in life,and to hear these insults!"On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media,it so happened that Raguel's daughter Sarahalso had to listen to abuse,from one of her father's maids.For she had been married to seven husbands,but the wicked demon Asmodeus killed them offbefore they could have intercourse with her,as it is prescribed for wives.So the maid said to her:"You are the one who strangles your husbands!Look at you!You have already been married seven times,but you have had no joy with any one of your husbands.Why do you beat us? Is it on account of your seven husbands,Because they are dead?May we never see a son or daughter of yours!"The girl was deeply saddened that day,and she went into an upper chamber of her house, where she planned to hang herself.But she reconsidered, saying to herself:"No! People would level this insult against my father:'You had only one beloved daughter,but she hanged herself because of ill fortune!'And thus would I cause my father in his old ageto go down to the nether world laden with sorrow.It is far better for me not to hang myself,but to beg the Lord to have me die,so that I need no longer live to hear such insults."At that time, then, she spread out her hands,and facing the window, poured out her prayer:"Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God,and blessed is your holy and honorable name.Blessed are you in all your works for ever!"At that very time, the prayer of these two suppliantswas heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.So Raphael was sent to heal them both:to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes,so that he might again see God's sunlight;and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah,and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 R. (1) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.In you I trust; let me not be put to shame,let not my enemies exult over me.No one who waits for you shall be put to shame;those shall be put to shame who heedlessly break faith.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Remember that your compassion, O LORD,and your kindness are from of old.In your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, O LORD.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice,he teaches the humble his way. R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. Alleluia Jn 11:25a, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;whoever believes in me will never die.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:18-27 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,his brother must take the wifeand raise up descendants for his brother.Now there were seven brothers.The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,and the third likewise.And the seven left no descendants.Last of all the woman also died.At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?For all seven had been married to her."Jesus said to them, "Are you not misledbecause you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?When they rise from the dead,they neither marry nor are given in marriage,but they are like the angels in heaven.As for the dead being raised,have you not read in the Book of Moses,in the passage about the bush, how God told him,I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?He is not God of the dead but of the living.You are greatly misled." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Tb 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,I, Tobit, went into my courtyard to sleep next to the courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a curebut the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais.At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus, she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salaryand also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!"She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners.I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.His heart is steadfast; he shall not feartill he looks down upon his foes. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Lavishly he gives to the poor;his generosity shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christenlighten the eyes of our hearts,that we may know what is the hopethat belongs to his call.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sentto Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.They came and said to him,"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful manand that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.You do not regard a person's statusbut teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?Should we pay or should we not pay?"Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,"Why are you testing me?Bring me a denarius to look at."They brought one to him and he said to them,"Whose image and inscription is this?"They replied to him, "Caesar's."So Jesus said to them,"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesarand to God what belongs to God."They were utterly amazed at him. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, bishop - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr Reading 1 Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8 I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my lifeon the paths of truth and righteousness.I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my peoplewho had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.On our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat.The table was set for me,and when many different dishes were placed before me,I said to my son Tobiah: "My son,go out and try to find a poor manfrom among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh.If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you,so that he can share this meal with me.Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back."Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours.When he returned he exclaimed, "Father!"I said to him, "What is it, son?"He answered, "Father, one of our people has been murdered!His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!"I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched;and I carried the dead man from the streetand put him in one of the rooms,so that I might bury him after sunset.Returning to my own quarters, I washed myselfand ate my food in sorrow.I was reminded of the oraclepronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel:"All your festivals shall be turned into mourning,and all your songs into lamentation."And I wept.Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another:"He is still not afraid!Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing;yet now that he has scarcely escaped,here he is again burying the dead!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.His generosity shall endure forever.Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Rv 1:5ab R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead;you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,and the elders in parables."A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,dug a wine press, and built a tower.Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenantsto obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.But they seized him, beat him,and sent him away empty-handed.Again he sent them another servant.And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.He sent yet another whom they killed.So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.He had one other to send, a beloved son.He sent him to them last of all, thinking, '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.'So they seized him and killed him,and threw him out of the vineyard.What then will the owner of the vineyard do?He will come, put the tenants to death,and give the vineyard to others.Have you not read this Scripture passage:The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;by the Lord has this been done,and it is wonderful in our eyes?"They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.So they left him and went away. - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr Reading 1 Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8 I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my lifeon the paths of truth and righteousness.I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my peoplewho had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.On our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat.The table was set for me,and when many different dishes were placed before me,I said to my son Tobiah: "My son,go out and try to find a poor manfrom among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh.If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you,so that he can share this meal with me.Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back."Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours.When he returned he exclaimed, "Father!"I said to him, "What is it, son?"He answered, "Father, one of our people has been murdered!His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!"I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched;and I carried the dead man from the streetand put him in one of the rooms,so that I might bury him after sunset.Returning to my own quarters, I washed myselfand ate my food in sorrow.I was reminded of the oraclepronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel:"All your festivals shall be turned into mourning,and all your songs into lamentation."And I wept.Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another:"He is still not afraid!Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing;yet now that he has scarcely escaped,here he is again burying the dead!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.His generosity shall endure forever.Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Rv 1:5ab R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead;you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,and the elders in parables."A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,dug a wine press, and built a tower.Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenantsto obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.But they seized him, beat him,and sent him away empty-handed.Again he sent them another servant.And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.He sent yet another whom they killed.So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.He had one other to send, a beloved son.He sent him to them last of all, thinking, '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.'So they seized him and killed him,and threw him out of the vineyard.What then will the owner of the vineyard do?He will come, put the tenants to death,and give the vineyard to others.Have you not read this Scripture passage:The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;by the Lord has this been done,and it is wonderful in our eyes?"They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.So they left him and went away. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinaias the LORD had commanded him,taking along the two stone tablets.Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses thereand proclaimed his name, "LORD."Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,do come along in our company.This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,and receive us as your own." Responsorial Psalm Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;And blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you who look into the depthsfrom your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever! Reading 2 2 Cor 13:11-13 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,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 holy ones greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christand the love of Godand the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Alleluia Cf. Rv 1:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;to God who is, who was, and who is to come.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:16-18 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perishbut might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs Reading 1 Sir 51:12 cd-20 I thank the LORD and I praise him;I bless the name of the LORD.When I was young and innocent,I sought wisdom openly in my prayerI prayed for her before the temple,and I will seek her until the end,and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.My heart delighted in her,My feet kept to the level pathbecause from earliest youth I was familiar with her.In the short time I paid heed,I met with great instruction.Since in this way I have profited,I will give my teacher grateful praise.I became resolutely devoted to her—the good I persistently strove for.My soul was tormented in seeking her, My hand opened her gateand I came to know her secrets.I directed my soul to her,and in cleanness I attained to her. Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul.The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart.The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.They are more precious than gold,than a heap of purest gold;Sweeter also than syrupor honey from the comb.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. Alleluia See Col 3:16a, 17c R. Alleluia, alleluia.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;giving thanks to God the Father through him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 11:27-33 Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem.As he was walking in the temple area,the chief priests, the scribes, and the eldersapproached him and 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 shall ask you one question.Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”They discussed this among themselves and said,“If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say,‘Then why did you not believe him?’But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”–they feared the crowd,for they all thought John really was a prophet.So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”Then Jesus said to them,“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Sir 44:1, 9-13 Now will I praise those godly men,our ancestors, each in his own time.But of others there is no memory,for when they ceased, they ceased.And they are as though they had not lived,they and their children after them.Yet these also were godly menwhose virtues have not been forgotten;Their wealth remains in their families,their heritage with their descendants;Through God’s covenant with them their family endures,their posterity, for their sake.And for all time their progeny will endure,their glory will never be blotted out. Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.or:R. Alleluia. Sing to the LORD a new songof praise in the assembly of the faithful.Let Israel be glad in their maker,let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.R. The Lord takes delight in his people.or:R. Alleluia.Let them praise his name in the festive dance,let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.For the LORD loves his people,and he adorns the lowly with victory.R. The Lord takes delight in his people.or:R. Alleluia. Let the faithful exult in glory;let them sing for joy upon their couches;Let the high praises of God be in their throats.This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. R. The Lord takes delight in his people.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Jn 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I chose you from the world,to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 11:11-26 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area.He looked around at everything and, since it was already late,went out to Bethany with the Twelve.The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf,he went over to see if he could find anything on it.When he reached it he found nothing but leaves;it was not the time for figs.And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”And his disciples heard it.They came to Jerusalem,and on entering the temple areahe began to drive out those selling and buying there.He overturned the tables of the money changersand the seats of those who were selling doves.He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?But you have made it a den of thieves.”The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of itand were seeking a way to put him to death,yet they feared himbecause the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.When evening came, they went out of the city.Early in the morning, as they were walking along,they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look!The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’and does not doubt in his heartbut believes that what he says will happen,it shall be done for him.Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.When you stand to pray,forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance,so that your heavenly Father may in turnforgive you your transgressions.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr Reading 1 Sir 42:15-25 Now will I recall God’s works;what I have seen, I will describe.At God’s word were his works brought into being;they do his will as he has ordained for them.As the rising sun is clear to all,so the glory of the LORD fills all his works;Yet even God’s holy ones must failin recounting the wonders of the LORD,Though God has given these, his hosts, the strengthto stand firm before his glory.He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart;their innermost being he understands.The Most High possesses all knowledge,and sees from of old the things that are to come:He makes known the past and the future,and reveals the deepest secrets.No understanding does he lack;no single thing escapes him.Perennial is his almighty wisdom;he is from all eternity one and the same,With nothing added, nothing taken away;no need of a counselor for him!How beautiful are all his works!even to the spark and fleeting vision!The universe lives and abides forever;to meet each need, each creature is preserved.All of them differ, one from another,yet none of them has he made in vain,For each in turn, as it comes, is good;can one ever see enough of their splendor? Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.Sing to him a new song;pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.For upright is the word of the LORDand all his works are trustworthy.He loves justice and right;of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;by the breath of his mouth all their host.He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;in cellars he confines the deep.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.Let all the earth fear the LORD;let all who dwell in the world revere him.For he spoke, and it was made;he commanded, and it stood forth.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 10:46-52 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,sat by the roadside begging.On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,he began to cry out and say,“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”So they called the blind man, saying to him,“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.”Immediately he received his sightand followed him on the way. - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr Reading 1 Sir 42:15-25 Now will I recall God’s works;what I have seen, I will describe.At God’s word were his works brought into being;they do his will as he has ordained for them.As the rising sun is clear to all,so the glory of the LORD fills all his works;Yet even God’s holy ones must failin recounting the wonders of the LORD,Though God has given these, his hosts, the strengthto stand firm before his glory.He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart;their innermost being he understands.The Most High possesses all knowledge,and sees from of old the things that are to come:He makes known the past and the future,and reveals the deepest secrets.No understanding does he lack;no single thing escapes him.Perennial is his almighty wisdom;he is from all eternity one and the same,With nothing added, nothing taken away;no need of a counselor for him!How beautiful are all his works!even to the spark and fleeting vision!The universe lives and abides forever;to meet each need, each creature is preserved.All of them differ, one from another,yet none of them has he made in vain,For each in turn, as it comes, is good;can one ever see enough of their splendor? Responsorial Psalm PS 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.Sing to him a new song;pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.For upright is the word of the LORDand all his works are trustworthy.He loves justice and right;of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;by the breath of his mouth all their host.He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;in cellars he confines the deep.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.Let all the earth fear the LORD;let all who dwell in the world revere him.For he spoke, and it was made;he commanded, and it stood forth.R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 10:46-52 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,sat by the roadside begging.On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,he began to cry out and say,“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”So they called the blind man, saying to him,“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.”Immediately he received his sightand followed him on the way. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Zep 3:14-18a Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!Sing joyfully, O Israel!Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed the judgment against you,he has turned away your enemies;The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty savior;He will rejoice over you with gladness,and renew you in his love,He will sing joyfully because of you,as one sings at festivals. Or    Rom 12:9-16 Brothers and sisters:Let love be sincere;hate what is evil,hold on to what is good;love one another with mutual affection;anticipate one another in showing honor.Do not grow slack in zeal,be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord.Rejoice in hope,endure in affliction,persevere in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,exercise hospitality.Bless those who persecute you,bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice,weep with those who weep.Have the same regard for one another;do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;do not be wise in your own estimation. Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 R.(6)  Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.God indeed is my savior;I am confident and unafraid.My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.With joy you will draw waterat the fountain of salvation.R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;among the nations make known his deeds,proclaim how exalted is his name.R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;let this be known throughout all the earth.Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Alleluia See Lk 1:45 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believedthat what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:39-56 Mary set outand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariahand greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,the infant leaped in her womb,and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,cried out in a loud voice and said,"Most blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,the infant in my womb leaped for joy.Blessed are you who believedthat what was spoken to you by the Lordwould be fulfilled."And Mary said:"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come to the help of his servant Israelfor he has remembered his promise of mercy,the promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever."Mary remained with her about three monthsand then returned to her home. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Sir 35:1-12 To keep the law is a great oblation,and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.In works of charity one offers fine flour,and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,and to avoid injustice is an atonement.Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.The just one's offering enriches the altarand rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing,nor will it ever be forgotten.In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,be not sparing of freewill gifts.With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.Give to the Most High as he has given to you,generously, according to your means.For the LORD is one who always repays,and he will give back to you sevenfold.But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.For he is a God of justice,who knows no favorites. Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23 R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God."Gather my faithful ones before me,those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."And the heavens proclaim his justice;for God himself is the judge.R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God."Hear, my people, and I will speak;Israel, I will testify against you;God, your God, am I.Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,for your burnt offerings are before me always."R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God."Offer to God praise as your sacrificeand fulfill your vows to the Most High.He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. Alleluia see mt 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 10:28-31 Peter began to say to Jesus,'We have given up everything and followed you."Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sistersor mother or father or children or landsfor my sake and for the sake of the Gospelwho will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:houses and brothers and sistersand mothers and children and lands,with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading I Gn 3:9-15, 20 After Adam had eaten of the tree,             the LORD God called to him and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden;             but I was afraid, because I was naked,             so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then,             from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—             she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman,             “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent:             “Because you have done this, you shall be banned                         from all the animals                         and from all the wild creatures;             On your belly shall you crawl,                         and dirt shall you eat                         all the days of your life.             I will put enmity between you and the woman,                         and between your offspring and hers;             He will strike at your head,                         while you strike at his heel.” The man called his wife Eve,             because she became the mother of all the living.OR:Acts 1:12-14 After Jesus had been taken up to heaven,             the Apostles returned to Jerusalem             from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,             a sabbath day’s journey away. When they entered the city             they went to the upper room where they were staying,             Peter and John and James and Andrew,             Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,             James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,             and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,             together with some women,             and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.   Responsorial Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7 R. (3) Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! His foundation upon the holy mountains             the LORD loves: The gates of Zion,             more than any dwelling of Jacob. R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! Glorious things are said of you,             O city of God! And of Zion they shall say:             “One and all were born in her; And he who has established her             is the Most High LORD.”R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:             “This man was born there.” And all shall sing, in their festive dance:             “My home is within you.”R. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.O joyful Virgin, who gave birth to the Lord; O blessed Mother of the Church, who nurture in us the Spiritof your Son Jesus Christ!R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 19:25-34 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother             and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,             and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,             he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple,             “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished,             in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,             Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop             and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,             “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day,             in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,             for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,             the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken             and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first             and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,             they did not break his legs,             but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,             and immediately Blood and water flowed out. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Extended Vigil Readings for the At the Vigil Mass Readings for the Mass during the Day Vigil Mass Extended Vigil Mass during the Day  - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Pentecost Sunday Readings for the At the Vigil Mass Readings for the Mass during the Day Reading 1 Genesis 11:1-9 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. While the people were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, "Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire." They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth." The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the LORD said: ""If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. Let us then go down there and confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says."" Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth. Responsorial Psalm PSALM 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15 R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind. R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. From his fixed throne he beholds all who dwell on the earth, He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works. R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. Reading 2 EX 19:3-8A, 16-20B Moses went up the mountain to God.Then the LORD called to him and said,""Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob;tell the Israelites:You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptiansand how I bore you up on eagle wingsand brought you here to myself.Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant,you shall be my special possession,dearer to me than all other people,though all the earth is mine.You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.That is what you must tell the Israelites.""So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people.When he set before themall that the LORD had ordered him to tell them,the people all answered together,""Everything the LORD has said, we will do."" On the morning of the third daythere were peals of thunder and lightning,and a heavy cloud over the mountain,and a very loud trumpet blast,so that all the people in the camp trembled.But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God,and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke,for the LORD came down upon it in fire.The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace,and the whole mountain trembled violently.The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking,and God answering him with thunder. When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai,he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain. Responsorial Psalm    DANIEL 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise forever! "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages." R. Glory and praise forever! "Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever." R. Glory and praise forever! "Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever." R. Glory and praise forever! "Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever." R. Glory and praise forever! "Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever." R. Glory and praise forever! OR:  PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (John 6:68c) Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. Reading 3 EZ 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me,and he led me out in the spirit of the LORDand set me in the center of the plain,which was now filled with bones.He made me walk among the bones in every directionso that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.How dry they were!He asked me:Son of man, can these bones come to life?I answered, ""Lord GOD, you alone know that.""Then he said to me:Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,cover you with skin, and put spirit in youso that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told,and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.Then the LORD said to me:Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD:From the four winds come, O spirit,and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.Then he said to me:Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.They have been saying,""Our bones are dried up,our hope is lost, and we are cut off.""Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:O my people, I will open your gravesand have you rise from them,and bring you back to the land of Israel.Then you shall know that I am the LORD,when I open your graves and have you rise from them,O my people!I will put my spirit in you that you may live,and I will settle you upon your land;thus you shall know that I am the LORD.I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm PSALM 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (1) Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.Let the redeemed of the LORD say,those whom he has redeemed from the hand of the foeAnd gathered from the lands,from the east and the west, from the north and the south.R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.They went astray in the desert wilderness;the way to an inhabited city they did not find.Hungry and thirsty,their life was wasting away within them.R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.They cried to the LORD in their distress;from their straits he rescued them.And he led them by a direct wayto reach an inhabited city.R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia.Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercyand his wondrous deeds to the children of men,Because he satisfied the longing souland filled the hungry soul with good things.R. Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.or:R. Alleluia. Reading 4                                         JL 3:1-5 Thus says the LORD:I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,your old men shall dream dreams,your young men shall see visions;even upon the servants and the handmaids,in those days, I will pour out my spirit.And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth,blood, fire, and columns of smoke;the sun will be turned to darkness,and the moon to blood,at the coming of the day of the LORD,the great and terrible day.Then everyone shall be rescuedwho calls on the name of the LORD;for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant,as the LORD has said,and in Jerusalem survivorswhom the LORD shall call. Responsorial Psalm PSALM 104:1-2, 24 AND 35, 27-28, 29-30 R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.Bless the LORD, O my soul!O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!You are clothed with majesty and glory,robed in light as with a cloak.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.How manifold are your works, O LORD!In wisdom you have wrought them all—the earth is full of your creatures;bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.Creatures all look to youto give them food in due time.When you give it to them, they gather it;when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.If you take away their breath, they perishand return to their dust.When you send forth your spirit, they are created,and you renew the face of the earth.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.or:R. Alleluia. Epistle ROM 8:22-27 Brothers and sisters:We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;and not only that, but we ourselves,who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,we also groan within ourselvesas we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.For in hope we were saved.Now hope that sees is not hope.For who hopes for what one sees?But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;for we do not know how to pray as we ought,but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.And the one who searches heartsknows what is the intention of the Spirit,because he intercedes for the holy onesaccording to God's will. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithfuland kindle in them the fire of your love. Gospel JN 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, "Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says:Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me." He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Pentecost Sunday Readings for the Extended Vigil Readings for the Mass during the Day Reading I Gn 11:1-9 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. While the people were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.” They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.” The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. Let us then go down there and confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says.” Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth. OR: Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites.” So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people. When he set before them all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them, the people all answered together, “Everything the LORD has said, we will do.” On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking, and God answering him with thunder. When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain. OR: Ez 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD and set me in the center of the plain, which was now filled with bones. He made me walk among the bones in every direction so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain. How dry they were! He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life? I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.” Then he said to me: Prophesy over these bones, and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: See!  I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD. I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told, and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise; it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone. I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them, and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them. Then the LORD said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit:  Thus says the Lord GOD: From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life. I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army. Then he said to me: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They have been saying, “Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off.” Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. OR:     Jl 3:1-5 Thus says the LORD: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,     your old men shall dream dreams,     your young men shall see visions; even upon the servants and the handmaids,     in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth,     blood, fire, and columns of smoke; the sun will be turned to darkness,     and the moon to blood, at the coming of the day of the LORD,     the great and terrible day. Then everyone shall be rescued     who calls on the name of the LORD; for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant,     as the LORD has said, and in Jerusalem survivors     whom the LORD shall call. Responsorial Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30 R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or:R. Alleluia. Bless the LORD, O my soul!     O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory,     robed in light as with a cloak.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or:R. Alleluia. How manifold are your works, O LORD!     In wisdom you have wrought them all -- the earth is full of your creatures;     bless the LORD, O my soul!  Alleluia.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or:R. Alleluia. Creatures all look to you     to give them food in due time. When you give it to them, they gather it;     when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or:R. Alleluia. If you take away their breath, they perish     and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created,     and you renew the face of the earth.R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or:R. Alleluia. Reading II Rom 8:22-27 Brothers and sisters: We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says:     Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.” He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Pentecost Sunday Readings for the Extended Vigil Readings for the At the Vigil Mass Reading I Acts 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” Responsorial Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. Bless the LORD, O my soul!     O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD!     the earth is full of your creatures. R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. May the glory of the LORD endure forever;     may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme;     I will be glad in the LORD. R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. If you take away their breath, they perish     and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created,     and you renew the face of the earth. R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. Reading II 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;  there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.   Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from your celestial home     Shed a ray of light divine! Come, Father of the poor! Come, source of all our store!     Come, within our bosoms shine. You, of comforters the best; You, the soul’s most welcome guest;     Sweet refreshment here below; In our labor, rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat;     Solace in the midst of woe. O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours,     And our inmost being fill! Where you are not, we have naught, Nothing good in deed or thought,     Nothing free from taint of ill. Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour your dew;     Wash the stains of guilt away: Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill;     Guide the steps that go astray. On the faithful, who adore And confess you, evermore     In your sevenfold gift descend; Give them virtue’s sure reward; Give them your salvation, Lord;     Give them joys that never end. Amen.     Alleluia. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 20:19-23 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.