Reading 1 1 Tm 3:1-13 Beloved, this saying is trustworthy:whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,married only once, temperate, self-controlled,decent, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,not contentious, not a lover of money.He must manage his own household well,keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;for if a man does not know how to manage his own household,how can he take care of the Church of God?He should not be a recent convert,so that he may not become conceitedand thus incur the Devil's punishment.He must also have a good reputation among outsiders,so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil's trap.Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful,not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.Moreover, they should be tested first;then, if there is nothing against them,let them serve as deacons.Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers,but temperate and faithful in everything.Deacons may be married only onceand must manage their children and their households well.Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standingand much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. Responsorial Psalm Ps 101:1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6 R.(2) I will walk with blameless heart.Of mercy and judgment I will sing;to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.I will persevere in the way of integrity;when will you come to me?R. I will walk with blameless heart.I will walk with blameless heart,within my house;I will not set before my eyesany base thing.R. I will walk with blameless heart.Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,him will I destroy.The man of haughty eyes and puffed up heartI will not endure.R. I will walk with blameless heart.My eyes are upon the faithful of the land,that they may dwell with me.He who walks in the way of integrityshall be in my service.R. I will walk with blameless heart. Alleluia Lk 7:16 Lk 7:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.A great prophet has arisen in our midstand God has visited his people.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 7:11-17 Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Januarius, 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 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 1 Tm 2:1-8 Beloved:First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,for kings and for all in authority,that we may lead a quiet and tranquil lifein all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior,who wills everyone to be savedand to come to knowledge of the truth.For there is one God.There is also one mediator between God and men,the man Christ Jesus,who gave himself as ransom for all.This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and Apostle(I am speaking the truth, I am not lying),teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. Responsorial Psalm Ps 28:2, 7, 8-9 R. (6) Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to you,lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine.R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.The LORD is my strength and my shield.In him my heart trusts, and I find help;then my heart exults, and with my song I give him thanks.R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.The LORD is the strength of his people,the saving refuge of his anointed.Save your people, and bless your inheritance;feed them, and carry them forever!R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer. Alleluia Jn 3:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 7:1-10 When Jesus had finished all his words to the people,he entered Capernaum.A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die,and he was valuable to him.When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him,asking him to come and save the life of his slave.They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying,"He deserves to have you do this for him,for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us."And Jesus went with them,but when he was only a short distance from the house,the centurion sent friends to tell him,"Lord, do not trouble yourself,for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you;but say the word and let my servant be healed.For I too am a person subject to authority,with soldiers subject to me.And I say to one, Go, and he goes;and to another, Come here, and he comes;and to my slave, Do this, and he does it."When Jesus heard this he was amazed at himand, turning, said to the crowd following him,"I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."When the messengers returned to the house,they found the slave in good health. - - -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 Sir 27:30—28:7 Wrath and anger are hateful things,yet the sinner hugs them tight.The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance,for he remembers their sins in detail.Forgive your neighbor's injustice;then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.Could anyone nourish anger against anotherand expect healing from the LORD?Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,can he seek pardon for his own sins?If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,who will forgive his sins?Remember your last days, set enmity aside;remember death and decay, and cease from sin!Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor;remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 R. (8) The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.Bless the LORD, O my soul;and all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits.R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.He pardons all your iniquities,heals all your ills.He redeems your life from destruction,crowns you with kindness and compassion.R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.He will not always chide,nor does he keep his wrath forever.Not according to our sins does he deal with us,nor does he requite us according to our crimes.R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.For as the heavens are high above the earth,so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.As far as the east is from the west,so far has he put our transgressions from us.R. The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion. Reading 2 Rom 14:7-9 Brothers and sisters:None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.For if we live, we live for the Lord,and if we die, we die for the Lord;so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.For this is why Christ died and came to life,that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Alleluia Jn 13:34 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I give you a new commandment, says the Lord;love one another as I have loved you.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 18:21-35 Peter approached Jesus and asked him,"Lord, if my brother sins against me,how often must I forgive?As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a kingwho decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting,a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back,his master ordered him to be sold,along with his wife, his children, and all his property,in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.'Moved with compassion the master of that servantlet him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servantswho owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,'Pay back what you owe.'Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prisonuntil he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,they were deeply disturbed, and went to their masterand reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,as I had pity on you?'Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturersuntil he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you,unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Robert Bellarmine, bishop 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.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Cornelius, pope and martyr, and Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyrReading 1 1 Tm 1:15-17 Beloved:This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.Of these I am the foremost.But for that reason I was mercifully treated,so that in me, as the foremost,Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an examplefor those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Responsorial Psalm Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5 and 6-7 R. (2) Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.Praise, you servants of the LORD,praise the name of the LORD.Blessed be the name of the LORDboth now and forever.R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.From the rising to the setting of the sunis the name of the LORD to be praised.High above all nations is the LORD;above the heavens is his glory.R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.Who is like the LORD, our God,and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?He raises up the lowly from the dust;from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. Alleluia Jn 14:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Whoever loves me will keep my word,and my Father will love him,and we will come to him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 6:43-49 Jesus said to his disciples:"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.For every tree is known by its own fruit.For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,nor do they gather grapes from brambles.A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?I will show you what someone is like who comes to me,listens to my words, and acts on them.That one is like a man building a house,who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;when the flood came, the river burst against that housebut could not shake it because it had been well built.But the one who listens and does not actis like a person who built a house on the groundwithout a foundation.When the river burst against it,it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed." - - -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.