Readings

First Reading
Jer 3:14-17

I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart; all nations will be gathered together at Jerusalem.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah

Return, rebellious children, says the LORD,
   for I am your Master;
I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,
   and bring you to Zion.
I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,
   who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.
When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,
   says the LORD,
They will in those days no longer say,
   “The ark of the covenant of the LORD!”
They will no longer think of it, or remember it,
   or miss it, or make another.

At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne;
   there all nations will be gathered together
   to honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem,
   and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13

R. :

℟. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
   proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
   he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

℟. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
   he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
   they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings:
The grain, the wine, and the oil,
   the sheep and the oxen.

℟. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
   and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
   I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.

℟. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Acclamation before the Gospel
See Lk 8:15

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverence.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 13:18-23

The one who hears the word and understands it will bear much fruit.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
   without understanding it,
   and the Evil One comes and steals away
   what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
   is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
   he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
   but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
   and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
   is the one who hears the word and understands it,
   who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

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.