Readings

First Reading
Rom 8:26-30

All things work to the good for those who love God.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit 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.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
   who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
   to be conformed to the image of his Son,
   so that he might be the firstborn
   among many brothers. 
And those he predestined he also called;
   and those he called he also justified;
   and those he justified he also glorified.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 13:4-5, 6

R. :

(6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
   lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”;
   lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.

R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
   let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”

R. My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

Acclamation before the Gospel
See 2 Thess 2:11

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 13:22-30

And people will come from the east and west and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
   teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
   “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
   “Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
   for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
   but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
   then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
   ‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
   ‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
   ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
   ‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
   when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
   and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
   and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
   and from the north and the south
   and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
   and some are first who will be last.”

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.