Reading 1  2 COR 4:7-15 Brothers and sisters:We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not abandoned;struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.For we who live are constantly being given up to deathfor the sake of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.So death is at work in us, but life in you.Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesuswill raise us also with Jesusand place us with you in his presence.Everything indeed is for you,so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more peoplemay cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Responsorial Psalm PS 126:1BC-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6 R. (5)  Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,we were like men dreaming.Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with rejoicing. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.Then they said among the nations,“The LORD has done great things for them.”The LORD has done great things for us;we are glad indeed.R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.Restore our fortunes, O LORD,like the torrents in the southern desert.Those that sow in tearsshall reap rejoicing.R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.Although they go forth weeping,carrying the seed to be sown,They shall come back rejoicing,carrying their sheaves. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Alleluia  JN 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I chose you from the world,to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 20:20-28 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sonsand did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.He said to her,“What do you wish?”She answered him,“Command that these two sons of mine sit,one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”Jesus said in reply,“You do not know what you are asking.Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”They said to him, “We can.”He replied,“My chalice you will indeed drink,but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to givebut is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”When the ten heard this,they became indignant at the two brothers.But Jesus summoned them and said,“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,and the great ones make their authority over them felt.But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve

Reading 1 Gn 18:20-32 In those days, the LORD said: "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great,and their sin so grave,that I must go down and see whether or not their actionsfully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out."While Abraham's visitors walked on farther toward Sodom,the LORD remained standing before Abraham. Then Abraham drew nearer and said:"Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city;would you wipe out the place, rather than spare itfor the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing,to make the innocent die with the guiltyso that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?" The LORD replied,"If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom,I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham spoke up again:"See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord,though I am but dust and ashes! What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?" He answered, "I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there."But Abraham persisted, saying "What if only forty are found there?" He replied, "I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty." Then Abraham said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?" He replied, "I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there." Still Abraham went on,"Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord,what if there are no more than twenty?" The LORD answered, "I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty."But he still persisted:"Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?" He replied, "For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it." Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 R.(3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,for you have heard the words of my mouth;in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;I will worship at your holy templeand give thanks to your name.R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.Because of your kindness and your truth;for you have made great above all thingsyour name and your promise.When I called you answered me;you built up strength within me.R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,and the proud he knows from afar.Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me;against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.Your right hand saves me.The LORD will complete what he has done

Reading 1 Jer 7:1-11 The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD:Stand at the gate of the house of the LORD,and there proclaim this message:Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judahwho enter these gates to worship the LORD!Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:Reform your ways and your deeds,so that I may remain with you in this place.Put not your trust in the deceitful words:"This is the temple of the LORD!The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD!"Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds;if each of you deals justly with his neighbor;if you no longer oppress the resident alien,the orphan, and the widow;if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place,or follow strange gods to your own harm,will I remain with you in this place,in the land I gave your fathers long ago and forever.But here you are, putting your trust in deceitful words to your own loss!Are you to steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,burn incense to Baal,go after strange gods that you know not,and yet come to stand before mein this house which bears my name, and say:"We are safe; we can commit all these abominations again"?Has this house which bears my namebecome in your eyes a den of thieves?I too see what is being done, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11 R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.My heart and my fleshcry out for the living God.R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!Even the sparrow finds a home,and the swallow a nestin which she puts her young—Your altars, O LORD of hosts,my king and my God!R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!Blessed they who dwell in your house!continually they praise you.Blessed the men whose strength you are!They go from strength to strength.R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!I had rather one day in your courtsthan a thousand elsewhere;I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my Godthan dwell in the tents of the wicked.R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! Alleluia Jas 1:21bc R. Alleluia, alleluia.Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in youand is able to save your souls.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:24-30 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds."The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a manwho sowed good seed in his field.While everyone was asleep his enemy cameand sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.The slaves of the householder came to him and said,'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?Where have the weeds come from?'He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weedsyou might uproot

Reading I Sgs 3:1-4b The Bride says: On my bed at night I sought him whom my heart loves– I sought him but I did not find him. I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek Him whom my heart loves. I sought him but I did not find him. The watchmen came upon me, as they made their rounds of the city: Have you seen him whom my heart loves? I had hardly left them when I found him whom my heart loves. OR:  2 Cor 5:14-17 Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. Responsorial Psalm Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. (2) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Tell us Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”  Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw

Reading 1  JER 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 This word of the LORD came to me: Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear! I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride, Following me in the desert, in a land unsown. Sacred to the LORD was Israel, the first fruits of his harvest; Should any presume to partake of them, evil would befall them, says the LORD. When I brought you into the garden land  to eat its goodly fruits, You entered and defiled my land, you made my heritage loathsome. The priests asked not, “Where is the LORD?” Those who dealt with the law knew me not: the shepherds rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols. Be amazed at this, O heavens, and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD. Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; They have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water. Responsorial Psalm PS 36:6-7AB, 8-9, 10-11 R. (10a) With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.O LORD, your mercy reaches to heaven;your faithfulness, to the clouds.Your justice is like the mountains of God;your judgments, like the mighty deep.R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.How precious is your mercy, O God!The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house;from your delightful stream you give them to drink.R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.For with you is the fountain of life,and in your light we see light.Keep up your mercy toward your friends,your just defense of the upright of heart.R. With you is the fountain of life, O 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  MT 13:10-17 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many

Reading 1 Jer 1:1, 4-10 The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.The word of the LORD came to me thus:Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I dedicated you,a prophet to the nations I appointed you.“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,"I know not how to speak; I am too young.”But the LORD answered me,Say not, “I am too young.”To whomever I send you, you shall go;whatever I command you, you shall speak.Have no fear before them,because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,See, I place my words in your mouth!This day I set youover nations and over kingdoms,To root up and to tear down,to destroy and to demolish,to build and to plant. Responsorial Psalm Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15 and 17 R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.In you, O LORD, I take refuge;let me never be put to shame.In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;incline your ear to me, and save me.R. I will sing of your salvation.Be my rock of refuge,a stronghold to give me safety,for you are my rock and my fortress.O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.R. I will sing of your salvation.For you are my hope, O Lord;my trust, O God, from my youth.On you I depend from birth;from my mother’s womb you are my strength.R. I will sing of your salvation.My mouth shall declare your justice,day by day your salvation.O God, you have taught me from my youth,and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.R. I will sing of your salvation. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;all who come to him will live for ever.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:1-9 On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore.And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:“A sower went out to sow.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up.Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots.Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, bishop 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

Reading 1  MI 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, That dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old. Responsorial Psalm PS 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8 R. (8a) Lord, show us your mercy and love.You have favored, O LORD, your land;you have brought back the captives of Jacob.You have forgiven the guilt of your people;you have covered all their sins.You have withdrawn all your wrath;you have revoked your burning anger. R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.Restore us, O God our savior,and abandon your displeasure against us.Will you be ever angry with us,prolonging your anger to all generations?R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.Will you not instead give us life;and shall not your people rejoice in you?Show us, O LORD, your kindness,and grant us your salvation. R. Lord, show us your mercy and love. Alleluia  JN 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Whoever loves me will keep my word,and my Father will love himand we will come to him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 12:46-50 While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is 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 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  MI 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the LORD says: Arise, present your plea before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice! Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD, pay attention, O foundations of the earth! For the LORD has a plea against his people, and he enters into trial with Israel. O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, from the place of slavery I released you; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23 R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.“Gather my faithful ones before me,those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”And the heavens proclaim his justice;for God himself is the judge.R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,for your burnt offerings are before me always.I take from your house no bullock,no goats out of your fold.”R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.“Why do you recite my statutes,and profess my covenant with your mouth,Though you hate disciplineand cast my words behind you?”R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?Or do you think that I am like yourself?I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God. Alleluia  PS 95:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.If today you hear his voice,harden not your hearts.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 12:38-42 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,  so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater

Reading 1 Gn 18:1-10a The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,as he sat in the entrance of his tent,while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;and bowing to the ground, he said:"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant,let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;and afterward you may go on your way." The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls." He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk,as well as the steer that had been prepared,and set these before the three men;and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"He replied, "There in the tent." One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,and Sarah will then have a son." Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 R.(1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.One who walks blamelessly and does justice;who thinks the truth in his heartand slanders not with his tongue.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who harms not his fellow man,nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;by whom the reprobate is despised,while he honors those who fear the LORD.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who lends not his money at usuryand accepts no bribe against the innocent.One who does these thingsshall never be disturbed.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Reading 2 Col 1:24-28 Brothers and sisters:Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,and in my flesh I am filling upwhat is lacking in the afflictions of Christon behalf of his body, which is the church,of which I am a ministerin accordance with God's stewardship given to meto bring to completion for you the word of God,the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,to whom God chose to make known the riches of the gloryof this mystery among the Gentiles;it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim,admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Alleluia Cf. Lk 8:15 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heartand yield a harvest through perseverance.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed

Reading 1  MI 2:1-5 Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power. They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and they take them; They cheat an owner of his house, a man of his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I am planning against this race an evil from which you shall not withdraw your necks; Nor shall you walk with head high, for it will be a time of evil. On that day a satire shall be sung over you, and there shall be a plaintive chant: “Our ruin is complete, our fields are portioned out among our captors, The fields of my people are measured out, and no one can get them back!” Thus you shall have no one to mark out boundaries by lot in the assembly of the LORD. Responsorial Psalm PS 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14 R. (12b) Do not forget the poor, O Lord!Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?Why hide in times of distress?Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived. R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!For the wicked man glories in his greed,and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.The wicked man boasts, “He will not avenge it”;“There is no God,” sums up his thoughts. R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit;under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.He lurks in ambush near the villages;in hiding he murders the innocent;his eyes spy upon the unfortunate. R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,taking them in your hands.On you the unfortunate man depends;of the fatherless you are the helper.R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord! Alleluia  2 COR 5:19 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 12:14-21 The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.   Readings for the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - - -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,