Readings

Proper readings

First Reading
2 Cor 10:17-11:2

I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

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

Brothers and sisters:
“Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”
For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved,
   but the one whom the Lord recommends.

If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me!
Please put up with me.
For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God,
   since I betrothed you to one husband
   to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

R. :

℟. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge,
   a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.

℟. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;
   you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

℟. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors,
Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your kindness.

℟. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Acclamation before the Gospel

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the wise virgin, whom the Lord found waiting; at his coming,
she went in with him to the wedding feast.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 25:1-13

Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
  who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
   brought no oil with them,
   but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
   they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
   ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
   ‘Give us some of your oil,
   for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise ones replied,
   ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
While they went off to buy it,
   the bridegroom came
   and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
   ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,
   ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
   for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

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
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11

Elijah was enveloped in a whirlwind.

A reading from the Book of Sirach

In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
   whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
   in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
   and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
   Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
   in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
   to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
   and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
   and who falls asleep in your friendship.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19

R. :

℟. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.

℟. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
   look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
   and protect what your right hand has planted
   the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

℟. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
   with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
   give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

℟. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Acclamation before the Gospel
Lk 3:4, 6

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

As they were coming down from the mountain,
   the disciples asked Jesus,
   “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
   but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
   and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
   that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

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.