Reading I Mal 3:1-4     Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger     to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple     the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.     Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming?     And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire,     or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver,     and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver     that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem     will please the LORD,     as in the days of old, as in years gone by.   Responsorial Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 R.    (8) Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels;     reach up, you ancient portals,     that the king of glory may come in!R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory?     The LORD, strong and mighty,     the LORD, mighty in battle.R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord! Lift up, O gates, your lintels;     reach up, you ancient portals,     that the king of glory may come in!R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord! Who is this king of glory?     The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.R.    Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!   Reading II Heb 2:14-18 Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Alleluia Lk 2:32 R. Alleluia, alleluia. A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice ofa pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.  Now there was a man

Reading I Heb 12:4-7, 11-15 Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:     My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord         or lose heart when reproved by him;     for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;         he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as his sons. For what "son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled. Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a R.    (see 17)  The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Bless the LORD, O my soul;     and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul,     and forget not all his benefits.R.    The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. As a father has compassion on his children,     so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, For he knows how we are formed;     he remembers that we are dust.R.    The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity     to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward children’s children     among those who keep his covenant.R.    The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. Alleluia Jn 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 6:1-6 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.  When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished.  They said, “Where did this man get all this?  What kind of wisdom has been given him?  What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!  Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?  And are not his sisters here with us?”  And they took offense at him.  Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”  So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was

Readings for the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priestReading I Heb 12:1-4 Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32 R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the LORD shall praise him: "May your hearts be ever merry!" R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; All the families of the nations shall bow down before him. To him alone shall bow down all who sleep in the earth; Before him shall bend all who go down into the dust. R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. And to him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve him. Let the coming generation be told of the LORD that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown. R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you. Alleluia Mt 8:17 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 5:21-43 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,  a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples

Reading 1 Heb 11:32-40 Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms,  did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect. Responsorial Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24 R.    (25)  Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. How great is the goodness, O LORD,     which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you,     you show in the sight of the children of men.R.    Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. You hide them in the shelter of your presence     from the plottings of men; You screen them within your abode     from the strife of tongues.R.    Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy     he has shown me in a fortified city. R.    Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Once I said in my anguish,     “I am cut off from your sight”; Yet you heard the sound of my pleading     when I cried out to you.R.    Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord. Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!     The LORD keeps those who are constant,     but more than requites those who act proudly.R.    Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.     Alleluia Lk 7:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia. A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 5:1-20 Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and

Reading 1 Zep 2:3; 3:12-13 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,who have observed his law;seek justice, seek humility;perhaps you may be shelteredon the day of the LORD's anger.But I will leave as a remnant in your midsta people humble and lowly,who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:the remnant of Israel.They shall do no wrongand speak no lies;nor shall there be found in their mouthsa deceitful tongue;they shall pasture and couch their flockswith none to disturb them. Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!or:R. Alleluia.The LORD keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets captives free.R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!or:R. Alleluia.The LORD gives sight to the blind;the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.The LORD loves the just;the LORD protects strangers.R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!or:R. Alleluia.The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The LORD shall reign forever;your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!or:R. Alleluia. Reading 2 1 Cor 1:26-31 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.Not many of you were wise by human standards,not many were powerful,not many were of noble birth.Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,those who count for nothing,to reduce to nothing those who are something,so that no human being might boast before God.It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,who became for us wisdom from God,as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,so that, as it is written,"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord." Alleluia Mt 5:12a R. Alleluia, alleluia.Rejoice and be glad;your reward will be great in heaven.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the clean of heart,for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute youand utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.Rejoice and be glad,for your reward will be great in heaven." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the ChurchReading 1 Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 Brothers and sisters:Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a placethat he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age—and Sarah herself was sterile—for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.So it was that there came forth from one man,himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.All these died in faith.They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said,Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 R. (see 68) Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David.R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.Through his holy prophets he promised of old.that he would save us from our sinsfrom the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant.R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to set us free from the bonds of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life.R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people. Alleluia Jn 3:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to

Reading 1 Heb 10:32-39 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened,  you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction;  at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison  and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property,  knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;  it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.     For, after just a brief moment,         he who is to come shall come;         he shall not delay.     But my just one shall live by faith,         and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish,  but among those who have faith and will possess life. Responsorial Psalm Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 R.    (39a)  The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Trust in the LORD and do good,     that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the LORD,     and he will grant you your heart’s requests.R.    The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Commit to the LORD your way;     trust in him, and he will act. He will make justice dawn for you like the light;     bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. R.    The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,      and he approves his way. Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,     for the hand of the LORD sustains him.R.    The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. The salvation of the just is from the LORD;     he is their refuge in time of distress. And the LORD helps them and delivers them;     he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,     because they take refuge in him.R.    The salvation of the just comes from the Lord. Alleluia 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 4:26-34 Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is

Readings for the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishopsReading I 2 Tm 1:1-8 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy,  as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. OR: Ti 1:1-5 Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth, in the hope of eternal life  that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you. Responsorial Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10 R.    (3)  Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Sing to the LORD a new song;     sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name.R.    Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations;     among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.R.    Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Give to the LORD, you families of nations,     give to the LORD glory and praise;     give to the LORD the glory due his name!R.    Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved;     he governs the peoples with equity.R.    Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Alleluia Ps 119:105 R. Alleluia, alleluia. A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 4:21-25 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under

Reading 1 Acts 22:3-16 Paul addressed the people in these words:“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia,but brought up in this city.At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral lawand was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.I persecuted this Way to death,binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.Even the high priest and the whole council of elderscan testify on my behalf.For from them I even received letters to the brothersand set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalemin chains for punishment those there as well.“On that journey as I drew near to Damascus,about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’And he said to me,‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’My companions saw the lightbut did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?’The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus,and there you will be told about everythingappointed for you to do.’Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light,I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus.“A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law,and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,came to me and stood there and said,‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.Then he said,‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice;for you will be his witness before allto what you have seen and heard.Now, why delay?Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away,calling upon his name.’”OrActs 9:1-22Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,went to the high priest and asked himfor letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that,if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.On his  journey, as he was nearing Damascus,a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”He said, “Who are you, sir?”The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,for they heard the voice but could see no one.Saul got up from the ground,but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias,and the Lord said to him in a vision, AAnanias.”He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the ChurchReading 1 Heb 10:1-10 Brothers and sisters:Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year.Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins?But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.For this reason, when he came into the world, he said:Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,but a body you prepared for me;in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll,Behold, I come to do your will, O God.First he says, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings,you neither desired nor delighted in.These are offered according to the law.Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will.He takes away the first to establish the second.By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all. Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11 R. (8a and 9a) Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.I have waited, waited for the LORD,and he stooped toward me.And he put a new song into my mouth,a hymn to our God.R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,but ears open to obedience you gave me.Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;then said I, "Behold I come."R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.I announced your justice in the vast assembly;I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;I have made no secret of your kindness and your truthin the vast assembly.R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. Alleluia 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 3:31-35 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.A crowd seated around him told him,"Your mother and your brothers and your sistersare outside asking for you."But he said to them in reply,"Who are my mother and my brothers?"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,"Here are my mother and my brothers.For whoever does the will of Godis my brother and sister and mother." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian