Reading 1 Am 8:4-6, 9-12 Hear this, you who trample upon the needyand destroy the poor of the land!"When will the new moon be over," you ask,"that we may sell our grain,and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?"We will diminish the containers for measuring,add to the weights,and fix our scales for cheating!We will buy the lowly man for silver,and the poor man for a pair of sandals;even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"On that day, says the Lord GOD,I will make the sun set at middayand cover the earth with darkness in broad daylight.I will turn your feasts into mourningand all your songs into lamentations.I will cover the loins of all with sackclothand make every head bald.I will make them mourn as for an only son,and bring their day to a bitter end.Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD,when I will send famine upon the land:Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water,but for hearing the word of the LORD.Then shall they wander from sea to seaand rove from the north to the eastIn search of the word of the LORD,but they shall not find it. Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131 R.    (Matthew 4:4) One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.Blessed are they who observe his decrees,who seek him with all their heart. R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.With all my heart I seek you;let me not stray from your commands.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.My soul is consumed with longingfor your ordinances at all times. R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.The way of truth I have chosen;I have set your ordinances before me.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.Behold, I long for your precepts;in your justice give me life.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.I gasp with open mouthin my yearning for your commands.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia Mt 11:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 9:9-13 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words,I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of PortugalReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, 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.

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.