Readings

Proper readings

First Reading
2 Cor 4:7-15

Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus.

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

Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
   that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
   perplexed, but not driven to despair;
   persecuted, but not abandoned;
   struck down, but not destroyed;
   always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
   so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
   for the sake of Jesus,
   so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
   according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
   we too believe and therefore speak,
   knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
   will raise us also with Jesus
   and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
   so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
   may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R. :

℟. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
   we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with rejoicing.

℟. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,
   “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
   we are glad indeed.

℟. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
   like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
   shall reap rejoicing.

℟. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
   carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
   carrying their sheaves.

℟. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Acclamation before the Gospel
2 Cor 1:3b-4

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,
who encourages us in our every affliction.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 17:11b-19

The world hated them.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
   so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
   and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
   except the son of destruction,
   in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
   so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
   because they do not belong to the world
   any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
   but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
   any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
   so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
   so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.

Weekday readings

First Reading
1 Tim 3:1-13

The bishop must be irreproachable; similarly, deacons must hold fast to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

Beloved, this saying is trustworthy:
   whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,
   married only once, temperate, self-controlled,
   decent, hospitable, able to teach,
   not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,
   not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well,
   keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
   for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,
   how can he take care of the church of God?
He should not be a recent convert,
   so that he may not become conceited
   and thus incur the devil’s punishment.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,
   so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap.
Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,
   not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,
   holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
Moreover, they should be tested first;
   then, if there is nothing against them,
   let them serve as deacons.
Women,  similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,
   but temperate and faithful in everything.
Deacons may be married only once
   and must manage their children and their households well.
Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing
   and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 101: 1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6

R. :

℟. (2) I will walk with blameless heart.

Of mercy and judgment I will sing:
   to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
I will persevere in the way of integrity;
   when will you come to see?

℟. I will walk with blameless heart.

I will walk with blameless heart,
   within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
   any base thing.

℟. I will walk with blameless heart.

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
   him will I destroy
The man of haughty eyes and puffed-up heart
   I will not endure.

℟. I will walk with blameless heart.

My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,
   that they may dwell with me,
He who walks in the way of integrity
   shall be in my service.

℟. I will walk with blameless heart.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Lk 7:16

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has risen in our midst
and God has visited his people.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 7:11-17

Young man, I tell you arise!

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
   and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
   a man who had died was being carried out,
   the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
   he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
   “Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
   at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
   and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
   “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
   and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
   and in all the surrounding region.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.