Readings for the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn ChildrenReading 1 Heb 9:15, 24-28 Christ is mediator of a new covenant:since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf.Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world.But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ,offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him. Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 R. (1a)  Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.Sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done wondrous deeds;His right hand has won victory for him,his holy arm.R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulnesstoward the house of Israel.R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;break into song; sing praise.R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,with the harp and melodious song.With trumpets and the sound of the hornsing joyfully before the King, the LORD.R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 3:22-30 The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons." Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.   Amen, I say to you, all

Reading 1 Is 8:23—9:3 First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulunand the land of Naphtali;but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,the land west of the Jordan,the District of the Gentiles.Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian. Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom should I fear?The LORD is my life’s refuge;of whom should I be afraid?R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.One thing I ask of the LORD;this I seek:To dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life,That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORDand contemplate his temple.R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD with courage;be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Reading 2 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that all of you agree in what you say,and that there be no divisions among you,but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.I mean that each of you is saying,“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”Is Christ divided?Was Paul crucified for you?Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. Alleluia Mt 4:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdomand cured every disease among the people.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,that what had been said through Isaiah the prophetmight be fulfilled:Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles,the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by deathlight has arisen.From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter,

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Agnes, virgin and martyrReading 1  Heb 9:2-3, 11-14 A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;  this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.  But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,  passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,  that is, not belonging to this creation,  he entered once for all into the sanctuary,  not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,  thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes  can sanctify those who are defiled  so that their flesh is cleansed,  how much more will the Blood of Christ,  who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. Responsorial Psalm  47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. For king of all the earth is God: sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. Alleluia See Acts 16:14b R. Alleluia, alleluia. Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  Mk 3:20-21 Jesus came with his disciples into the house.Again the crowd gathered,making it impossible for them even to eat.When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Heb 8:6-13 Brothers and sisters:Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministryas he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one.But he finds fault with them and says:Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathersthe day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;for they did not stand by my covenantand I ignored them, says the Lord.But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israelafter those days, says the Lord:I will put my laws in their mindsand I will write them upon their hearts.I will be their God,and they shall be my people.And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying,“Know the Lord,”for all shall know me, from least to greatest.For I will forgive their evildoingand remember their sins no more.When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares the first one obsolete.And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing. Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14 R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.Show us, O LORD, your mercy,and grant us your salvation.Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.R. Kindness and truth shall meet.Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.R. Kindness and truth shall meet.The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.Justice shall walk before him,and salvation, along the way of his steps.R. Kindness and truth shall meet. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 3:13-19 Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,that they might be with himand he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:He appointed the Twelve:Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder;Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Sebastian, martyrReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Fabian, pope and martyr - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic

Reading 1 Heb 7:25—8:6 Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them. It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:  holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,  higher than the heavens. He has no need, as did the high priests,  to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people;  he did that once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,  but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,  appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever. The main point of what has been said is this:  we have such a high priest,  who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary  and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up. Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;  thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer. If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest,  since there are those who offer gifts according to the law. They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For God says, “See that you make everything  according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry  as he is mediator of a better covenant,  enacted on better promises. Responsorial Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 R.    (8a and 9a)  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. “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will, O my God, is my delight,     and your law is within my heart!”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. May all who seek you     exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation     say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”R.    Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Alleluia 2 Tm 1:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed deathand brought life to light through the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 3:7-12 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond

Reading 1 Heb 7:1-3, 15-17 Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High,met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kingsand blessed him.And Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything.His name first means righteous king,and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.Without father, mother, or ancestry,without beginning of days or end of life,thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.It is even more obvious if another priest is raised upafter the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so,not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descentbut by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.For it is testified:You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 R. (4b)  You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right handtill I make your enemies your footstool."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:"Rule in the midst of your enemies."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek."Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek. Alleluia See Mt 4:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdomand cured every disease among the people.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 3:1-6 Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.   - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbotReading 1  Heb 6:10-20 Brothers and sisters: God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises. When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, and said, I will indeed bless you and multiply you. And so, after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise. Now, men swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath, so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Responsorial Psalm  111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c R.    (5)  The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. or:R.    Alleluia. I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart     in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD,     exquisite in all their delights.R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. or:R.    Alleluia. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;     gracious and merciful is the LORD. He has given food to those who fear him;     he will forever be mindful of his covenant.R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. or:R.    Alleluia. He has sent deliverance to his people;     he has ratified his covenant forever;     holy and awesome is his name.     His praise endures forever.R.    The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. or:R.    Alleluia. Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia. May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel  Mk 2:23-28 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when

Reading 1 Heb 5:1-10 Brothers and sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him:You are my Son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place,You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. In the days when he was in the Flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right handtill I make your enemies your footstool."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:"Rule in the midst of your enemies."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek."Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek. Alleluia Heb 4:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The word of God is living and effective,able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 2:18-22 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.People came to Jesus and objected,"Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"Jesus answered them,"Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,and then they will fast on that day.No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.If he does, its fullness pulls away,the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,and both the wine and the skins are ruined.Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses

Reading 1 Is 49:3, 5-6 The LORD said to me: You are my servant,Israel, through whom I show my glory.Now the LORD has spokenwho formed me as his servant from the womb,that Jacob may be brought back to himand Israel gathered to him;and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,and my God is now my strength!It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant,to raise up the tribes of Jacob,and restore the survivors of Israel;I will make you a light to the nations,that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 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 heard my cry.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 offering you wished not,but ears open to obedience you gave me.Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;then said I, "Behold I come."R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,to do your will, O my God, is my delight,and your law is within my heart!"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. Reading 2 1 Cor 1:1-3 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,and Sosthenes our brother,to the church of God that is in Corinth,to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.Grace to you and peace from God our Fatherand the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia Jn 1:14a, 12a R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.To those who accepted him,he gave power to become children of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.He is the one of whom I said,'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of mebecause he existed before me.'I did not know him,but the reason why I came baptizing with waterwas that he might be made known to Israel."John testified further, saying,"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heavenand remain upon him.I did not know him,but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998,

Reading 1 Heb 4:12-16 The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,      Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. Responsorial Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 R.    (see John 6:63c)  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The law of the LORD is perfect,     refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,     giving wisdom to the simple.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The precepts of the LORD are right,     rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear,     enlightening the eye.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. The fear of the LORD is pure,     enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true,     all of them just.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart     find favor before you,     O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. Alleluia Lk 4:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poorand to proclaim liberty to captives.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 2:13-17 Jesus went out along the sea.All the crowd came to him and he taught them.As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,sitting at the customs post.Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”And he got up and followed Jesus.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;for there were many who followed him.Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinnersand tax collectors and said to his disciples,“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them,“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.