Reading 1 Is 35:1-6a, 10 The desert and the parched land will exult;the steppe will rejoice and bloom.They will bloom with abundant flowers,and rejoice with joyful song.The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;they will see the glory of the LORD,the splendor of our God.Strengthen the hands that are feeble,make firm the knees that are weak,say to those whose hearts are frightened:Be strong, fear not!Here is your God,he comes with vindication;with divine recompensehe comes to save you.Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,the ears of the deaf be cleared;then will the lame leap like a stag,then the tongue of the mute will sing.Those whom the LORD has ransomed will returnand enter Zion singing,crowned with everlasting joy;they will meet with joy and gladness,sorrow and mourning will flee. Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10. R. (cf. Is 35:4)  Lord, come and save us.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD God keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food to the hungry.The LORD sets captives free. R. Lord, come and save us.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. Lord, come and save us.or:R. Alleluia.The fatherless and the widow he sustains,but the way of the wicked he thwarts.The LORD shall reign forever;your God, O Zion, through all generations.R. Lord, come and save us.or:R. Alleluia. Reading 2 Jas 5:7-10 Be patient, brothers and sisters,until the coming of the Lord.See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with ituntil it receives the early and the late rains.You too must be patient.Make your hearts firm,because the coming of the Lord is at hand.Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Alleluia Is 61:1 (cited in Lk 4:18) R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 11:2-11 When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come,or should we look for another?"Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk,lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,the dead are raised,and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."As they were going off,Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see?A reed swayed by the wind?Then what did you go out to see?Someone dressed in fine clothing?Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a

Reading I Sir 48:1-4, 9-11     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. Responsorial Psalm 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. R.    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. R.    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. R.    Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. Alleluia Lk 3:4, 6 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 17:9a, 10-13 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. - - -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

Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego CuauhtlatoatzinReading 1 IS 48:17-19 Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,the Holy One of Israel:I, the LORD, your God,teach you what is for your good,and lead you on the way you should go.If you would hearken to my commandments,your prosperity would be like a river,and your vindication like the waves of the sea;Your descendants would be like the sand,and those born of your stock like its grains,Their name never cut offor blotted out from my presence. Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6 R. (see John 8:12)  Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.Blessed the man who follows notthe counsel of the wickedNor walks in the way of sinners,nor sits in the company of the insolent,But delights in the law of the LORDand meditates on his law day and night.R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.He is like a treeplanted near running water,That yields its fruit in due season,and whose leaves never fade.Whatever he does, prospers.R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.Not so the wicked, not so;they are like chaff which the wind drives away.For the LORD watches over the way of the just,but the way of the wicked vanishes.R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.   Alleluia   R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Lord will come; go out to meet him!He is the prince of peace.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 11:16-19 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation?  It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” - - -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 Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the ChurchReading 1 Is 40:25-31 To whom can you liken me as an equal?says the Holy One.Lift up your eyes on highand see who has created these things:He leads out their army and numbers them,calling them all by name.By his great might and the strength of his powernot one of them is missing!Why, O Jacob, do you say,and declare, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the LORD,and my right is disregarded by my God”?Do you not knowor have you not heard?The LORD is the eternal God,creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint nor grow weary,and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.He gives strength to the fainting;for the weak he makes vigor abound.Though young men faint and grow weary,and youths stagger and fall,They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,they will soar as with eagles’ wings;They will run and not grow weary,walk and not grow faint. Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 R.    (1)  O bless the Lord, my soul!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.    O bless the Lord, my soul!He pardons all your iniquities,he heals all your ills.He redeems your life from destruction,he crowns you with kindness and compassion.R.    O bless the Lord, my soul!Merciful and gracious is the LORD,slow to anger and abounding in kindness.Not according to our sins does he deal with us,nor does he requite us according to our crimes.R.    O bless the Lord, my soul!   Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;blessed are those prepared to meet him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” - - -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 Is 40:1-11 Comfort, give comfort to my people,says your God.Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to herthat her service is at an end,her guilt is expiated;Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORDdouble for all her sins.A voice cries out:In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!Every valley shall be filled in,every mountain and hill shall be made low;The rugged land shall be made a plain,the rough country, a broad valley.Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,and all people shall see it together;for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.A voice says, "Cry out!"I answer, "What shall I cry out?""All flesh is grass,and all their glory like the flower of the field.The grass withers, the flower wilts,when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.So then, the people is the grass.Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,the word of our God stands forever."Go up onto a high mountain,Zion, herald of glad tidings;Cry out at the top of your voice,Jerusalem, herald of good news!Fear not to cry outand say to the cities of Judah:Here is your God!Here comes with powerthe Lord GOD,who rules by his strong arm;Here is his reward with him,his recompense before him.Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;in his arms he gathers the lambs,Carrying them in his bosom,and leading the ewes with care. Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13 R.(see Isaiah 40:10ab)  The Lord our God comes with power.Sing to the LORD a new song;sing to the LORD, all you lands.Sing to the LORD; bless his name;announce his salvation, day after day.R. The Lord our God comes with power.Tell his glory among the nations;among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.Say among the nations: The LORD is king;he governs the peoples with equity.R. The Lord our God comes with power.Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;let the sea and what fills it resound;let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice.R. The Lord our God comes with power.They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;for he comes to rule the earth.He shall rule the world with justiceand the peoples with his constancy.R. The Lord our God comes with power. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.The day of the Lord is near;Behold, he comes to save us.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 18:12-14 Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Nicholas, bishop - - -Lectionary for Mass for

Reading I Is 35:1-10     The desert and the parched land will exult;         the steppe will rejoice and bloom.     They will bloom with abundant flowers,         and rejoice with joyful song.     The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,         the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;     They will see the glory of the LORD,         the splendor of our God.     Strengthen the hands that are feeble,         make firm the knees that are weak,     Say to those whose hearts are frightened:         Be strong, fear not!     Here is your God,         he comes with vindication;     With divine recompense         he comes to save you.     Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,         the ears of the deaf be cleared;     Then will the lame leap like a stag,         then the tongue of the mute will sing.     Streams will burst forth in the desert,         and rivers in the steppe.     The burning sands will become pools,         and the thirsty ground, springs of water;     The abode where jackals lurk         will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.     A highway will be there,         called the holy way;     No one unclean may pass over it,         nor fools go astray on it.     No lion will be there,         nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.     It is for those with a journey to make,         and on it the redeemed will walk.     Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return         and enter Zion singing,         crowned with everlasting joy;     They will meet with joy and gladness,         sorrow and mourning will flee. Responsorial Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 R.    (Isaiah 35:4f)  Our God will come to save us! I will hear what God proclaims;     the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,     glory dwelling in our land. R.    Our God will come to save us! 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.    Our God will come to save us! 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.    Our God will come to save us! Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 5:17-26 One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was

Reading 1 Is 11:1-10 On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,and from his roots a bud shall blossom.The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,a spirit of counsel and of strength,a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.Not by appearance shall he judge,nor by hearsay shall he decide,but he shall judge the poor with justice,and decide aright for the land's afflicted.He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.Justice shall be the band around his waist,and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;the calf and the young lion shall browse together,with a little child to guide them.The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,together their young shall rest;the lion shall eat hay like the ox.The baby shall play by the cobra's den,and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,as water covers the sea.On that day, the root of Jesse,set up as a signal for the nations,the Gentiles shall seek out,for his dwelling shall be glorious. Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 R. (cf. 7)  Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.O God, with your judgment endow the king,and with your justice, the king's son;he shall govern your people with justiceand your afflicted ones with judgment.R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.Justice shall flower in his days,and profound peace, till the moon be no more.May he rule from sea to sea,and from the River to the ends of the earth.R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;the lives of the poor he shall save.R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.May his name be blessed forever;as long as the sun his name shall remain.In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Reading 2 Rom 15:4-9 Brothers and sisters:Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.For I say that Christ

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priestReading 1 IS 30:19-21, 23-26 Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your flock will be given pasture and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows; The oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, The light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days. On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows. Responsorial Psalm PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. (see Isaiah 30:18d)  Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.Praise the LORD, for he is good;sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;it is fitting to praise him.The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;the dispersed of Israel he gathers. R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their wounds.He tells the number of the stars;he calls each by name.R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.Great is our LORD and mighty in power:to his wisdom there is no limit.The LORD sustains the lowly;the wicked he casts to the ground.R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.   Alleluia IS 33:22 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King;he it is who will save us.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”  Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.  Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,

Reading 1 IS 29:17-24 Thus says the Lord GOD:But a very little while,and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,and the orchard be regarded as a forest!On that day the deaf shall hearthe words of a book;And out of gloom and darkness,the eyes of the blind shall see.The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.For the tyrant will be no moreand the arrogant will have gone;All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,those whose mere word condemns a man,Who ensnare his defender at the gate,and leave the just man with an empty claim.Therefore thus says the LORD,the God of the house of Jacob,who redeemed Abraham:Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,nor shall his face grow pale.When his children seethe work of my hands in his midst,They shall keep my name holy;they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,and be in awe of the God of Israel.Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,and those who find fault shall receive instruction. 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.   Alleluia  R. Alleluia, alleluia.Behold, our Lord shall come with power;he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 9:27-31 As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”  When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”  “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.  Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  And their eyes were opened.  Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”  But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. - - -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 I Is 26:1-6 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:     “A strong city have we;         he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.     Open up the gates         to let in a nation that is just,         one that keeps faith.     A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;         in peace, for its trust in you.”     Trust in the LORD forever!         For the LORD is an eternal Rock.     He humbles those in high places,         and the lofty city he brings down;     He tumbles it to the ground,         levels it with the dust.     It is trampled underfoot by the needy,         by the footsteps of the poor. Responsorial Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a R.    (26a)  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R.    Alleluia. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,      for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD     than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD     than to trust in princes.  R.    Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R.    Alleluia. Open to me the gates of justice;     I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This gate is the LORD’s;     the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me     and have been my savior. R.    Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R.    Alleluia. O LORD, grant salvation!     O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;     we bless you from the house of the LORD.     The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R.    Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. or: R.    Alleluia. Alleluia Is 55:6 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call him while he is near. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 7:21, 24-27 Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.  And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the