Readings for the Independence DayReading 1 Am 7:10-17 Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,king of Israel:"Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;the country cannot endure all his words.For this is what Amos says:Jeroboam shall die by the sword,and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land."To Amos, Amaziah said:"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!There earn your bread by prophesying,but never again prophesy in Bethel;for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'Now hear the word of the LORD!"You say: prophesy not against Israel,preach not against the house of Isaac.Now thus says the LORD:Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;Your land shall be divided by measuring line,and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;Israel shall be exiled far from its land. Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul;The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart;The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.They are more precious than gold,than a heap of purest gold;Sweeter also than syrupor honey from the comb.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God was reconciling the world to himself in Christand entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 9:1-8 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"– he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.   - - -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  EPH 2:19-22 Brothers and sisters:You are no longer strangers and sojourners,but you are fellow citizens with the holy onesand members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.Through him the whole structure is held togetherand grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;in him you also are being built togetherinto a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Responsorial Psalm PS 117:1BC, 2 R. (Mark 16:15)  Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.Praise the LORD, all you nations;glorify him, all you peoples!R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.For steadfast is his kindness for us,and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News. Alleluia  JN 20:29 R. Alleluia, alleluia.You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  JN 20:24-29 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,was not with them when Jesus came.So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”But Thomas said to them,“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his handsand put my finger into the nailmarksand put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”Now a week later his disciples were again insideand Thomas was with them.Jesus came, although the doors were locked,and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,and bring your hand and put it into my side,and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” - - -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  AM 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the Lord pronounces over you, over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: You alone have I favored,  more than all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your crimes.Do two walk together unless they have agreed? Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something? Is a bird brought to earth by a snare when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything? If the trumpet sounds in a city, will the people not be frightened? If evil befalls a city, has not the Lord caused it? Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets.The lion roars-- who will not be afraid! The Lord God speaks-- who will not prophesy! I brought upon you such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: you were like a brand plucked from the fire; Yet you returned not to me, says the Lord. So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel! and since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. Responsorial Psalm PS 5:4B-6A, 6B-7, 8 R. (9a)  Lead me in your justice, Lord.At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;no evil man remains with you;the arrogant may not stand in your sight.R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.You hate all evildoers;you destroy all who speak falsehood;The bloodthirsty and the deceitfulthe Lord abhors.R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.But I, because of your abundant mercy,will enter your house;I will worship at your holy templein fear of you, O Lord.R. Lead me in your justice, Lord. Alleluia PS 130:5 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I trust in the Lord;my soul trusts in his word.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 8:23-27 As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!  We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” - - -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 Am 2:6-10, 13-16 Thus says the LORD:For three crimes of Israel, and for four,I will not revoke my word;Because they sell the just man for silver,and the poor man for a pair of sandals.They trample the heads of the weakinto the dust of the earth,and force the lowly out of the way.Son and father go to the same prostitute,profaning my holy name.Upon garments taken in pledgethey recline beside any altar;And the wine of those who have been finedthey drink in the house of their god.Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them,who were as tall as the cedars,and as strong as the oak trees.I destroyed their fruit above,and their roots beneath.It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt,and who led you through the desert for forty years,to occupy the land of the Amorites.Beware, I will crush you into the groundas a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves.Flight shall perish from the swift,and the strong man shall not retain his strength;The warrior shall not save his life,nor the bowman stand his ground;The swift of foot shall not escape,nor the horseman save his life.And the most stouthearted of warriorsshall flee naked on that day, says the LORD. Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 R. (22a) Remember this, you who never think 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. Remember this, you who never think of God."When you see a thief, you keep pace with him,and with adulterers you throw in your lot.To your mouth you give free rein for evil,you harness your tongue to deceit."R. Remember this, you who never think of God."You sit speaking against your brother;against your mother's son you spread rumors.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."R. Remember this, you who never think of God."Consider this, you who forget God,lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.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. Remember this, you who never think of God. Alleluia Ps 95:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.If today you hear his voice,harden not your hearts.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 8:18-22 When Jesus saw a crowd around him,he gave orders to cross to the other shore.A scribe approached and said to him,"Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."Another of his disciples said to him,"Lord, let me go first and bury my father."But Jesus answered him, "Follow me,and let the dead bury their dead." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, 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.