Reading 1 NA 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news,  announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah, fulfill your vows! For nevermore shall you be invaded by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed. The LORD will restore the vine of Jacob, the pride of Israel, Though ravagers have ravaged them  and ruined the tendrils.Woe to the bloody city, all lies, full of plunder, whose looting never stops! The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding,  Cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear, the many slain, the heaping corpses, the endless bodies to stumble upon! I will cast filth upon you, disgrace you and put you to shame; Till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying, “Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her? Where can one find any to console her?” Responsorial Psalm DEUTERONOMY 32:35CD-36AB, 39ABCD, 41 R. (39c)  It is I who deal death and give life. Close at hand is the day of their disaster, and their doom is rushing upon them! Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people; on his servants he shall have pity. R. It is I who deal death and give life. “Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them.” R. It is I who deal death and give life. I will sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver, “With vengeance I will repay my foes and requite those who hate me.” R. It is I who deal death and give life.     Alleluia MATTHEW 5:10 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness;for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 16:24-28 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin 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 or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Dominic, PriestReading 1 Jer 31:31-34 The days are coming, says the LORD,when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers:the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relativeshow to know the LORD.All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19 R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.Give me back the joy of your salvation,and a willing spirit sustain in me.I will teach transgressors your ways,and sinners shall return to you.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.For you are not pleased with sacrifices;should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Alleluia Mt 16:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 16:13-23 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippiand he asked his disciples,"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"Simon Peter said in reply,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.And so I say to you, you are Peter,and upon this rock I will build my Church,and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."Then he strictly ordered his disciplesto tell no one that he was the Christ.From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciplesthat he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatlyfrom the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed and on the third day be raised.Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."He turned and said to Peter,"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." - - -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  JER 31:1-7 At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert. As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar: With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: “Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God.” For thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel. Responsorial Psalm  JER 31:10, 11-12AB, 13 R. (see 10d)  The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock. R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings. R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Alleluia  LK 7:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.A great prophet has arisen in our midstand God has visited his people.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 15:21-28 At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and his Companions, MartyrsReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Cajetan, Priest - - -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 DN 7:9-10, 13-14 As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;let the many islands be glad.Clouds and darkness are round about him,justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,before the LORD of all the earth.The heavens proclaim his justice,and all peoples see his glory.R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,exalted far above all gods. R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.   Reading II 2 PT 1:16-19 Beloved:We did not follow cleverly devised mythswhen we made known to youthe power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.For he received honor and glory from God the Fatherwhen that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”We ourselves heard this voice come from heavenwhile we were with him on the holy mountain.Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.You will do well to be attentive to it,as to a lamp shining in a dark place,until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Alleluia MT 17:5 R. Alleluia, alleluia.This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;listen to him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 9:2-10 Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,  and his clothes became dazzling white,  such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.  Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,  and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,  “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents:  one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;  from the cloud came a voice,  “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves,  questioning what rising from the dead meant. - - -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.