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. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint  Nicholas, Bishop - - - 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 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 gatesto 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 Ps 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 LORDthan to trust in man.It is better to take refuge in the LORDthan 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 meand 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 themwill 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 minebut does not act on themwill 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 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 25:6-10a On this mountain the LORD of hostswill provide for all peoplesA feast of rich food and choice wines,juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.On this mountain he will destroythe veil that veils all peoples,The web that is woven over all nations;he will destroy death forever.The Lord GOD will wipe awaythe tears from all faces;The reproach of his people he will removefrom the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.On that day it will be said:"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!This is the LORD for whom we looked;let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.In verdant pastures he gives me repose;Beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.He guides me in right pathsfor his name's sake.Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sideWith your rod and your staffthat give me courage. R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.Only goodness and kindness follow meall the days of my life;And I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;blessed are those prepared to meet him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 15:29-37 At that time:Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him,having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see,and they glorified the God of Israel.Jesus summoned his disciples and said,"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,for they have been with me now for three daysand have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry,for fear they may collapse on the way." The disciples said to him,"Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted placeto satisfy such a crowd?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few fish." He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,gave thanks, broke the loaves,and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John of Damascus, Priest and Doctor of the Church - - - 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.