Reading 1 Jgs 9:6-15 All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came togetherand proceeded to make Abimelech kingby the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.When this was reported to him,Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,cried out to them in a loud voice:"Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil,whereby men and gods are honored,and go to wave over the trees?'Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!'But the fig tree answered them,'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,and go to wave over the trees?'Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.'But the vine answered them,'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,and go to wave over the trees?'Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, 'Come; you reign over us!'But the buckthorn replied to the trees,'If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,come and take refuge in my shadow.Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthornand devour the cedars of Lebanon.'" Responsorial Psalm Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;in your victory how greatly he rejoices!You have granted him his heart's desire;you refused not the wish of his lips.R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.He asked life of you: you gave him length of days forever and ever.R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.Great is his glory in your victory;majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.You made him a blessing forever,you gladdened him with the joy of your face.R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad. Alleluia Heb 4:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The word of God is living and effective,able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 20:1-16 Jesus told his disciples this parable:"The Kingdom of heaven is like a landownerwho went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,he sent them into his vineyard.Going out about nine o'clock,he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard,and I will give you what is just.'So they went off. And he went out again around noon,and around three o'clock, and did likewise.Going out about five o'clock,he found others standing around, and said to them,'Why do you stand here idle all day?'They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.'He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,'Summon the laborers and give them their pay,beginning with the last and ending with the first.'When those who had started about five o'clock came,each received the usual daily wage.So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,but each of them also got the usual wage.And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,'These last ones worked only one hour,and you have made them equal to us,who bore the day's burden and the heat.'He said to one of them in reply,'My friend, I am not cheating you.Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?Take what is yours and go.What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?Are you envious because I am generous?'Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose of Lima, virgin - - -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 The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin MaryReading 1 Jgs 6:11-24a The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrahthat belonged to Joash the Abiezrite.While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine pressto save it from the Midianites,the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,"The LORD is with you, O champion!"Gideon said to him, "My Lord, if the LORD is with us,why has all this happened to us?Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fatherstold us when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?'For now the LORD has abandoned usand has delivered us into the power of Midian."The LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you haveand save Israel from the power of Midian.It is I who send you."But Gideon answered him, "Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,and I am the most insignificant in my father's house.""I shall be with you," the LORD said to him,"and you will cut down Midian to the last man."Gideon answered him, "If I find favor with you,give me a sign that you are speaking with me.Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to youand bring out my offering and set it before you."He answered, "I will await your return."So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flourin the form of unleavened cakes.Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot,he brought them out to him under the terebinthand presented them.The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and unleavened cakesand lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth."When he had done so,the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held,and touched the meat and unleavened cakes.Thereupon a fire came up from the rockthat consumed the meat and unleavened cakes,and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight.Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,said, "Alas, Lord GOD,that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"The LORD answered him,"Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die."So Gideon built there an altar to the LORDand called it Yahweh-shalom. Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9, 11-12, 13-14 R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD–for he proclaims peaceTo his people, and to his faithful ones,and to those who put in him their hope.R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.Justice shall walk before him,and salvation, along the way of his steps.R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people. Alleluia 2 Cor 8:9 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ became poor although he was richso that by his poverty you might become rich.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 19:23-30 Jesus said to his disciples:"Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is richto enter the Kingdom of heaven.Again I say to you,it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needlethan for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,"Who then can be saved?"Jesus looked at them and said,"For men this is impossible,but for God all things are possible."Then Peter said to him in reply,"We have given up everything and followed you.What will there be for us?"Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to youthat you who have followed me, in the new age,when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,judging the twelve tribes of Israel.And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sistersor father or mother or children or landsfor the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,and will inherit eternal life.But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." - - -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 Pius X, popeReading I Jgs 2:11-19 The children of Israel offended the LORD by serving the Baals. Abandoning the LORD, the God of their fathers, who led them out of the land of Egypt, they followed the other gods of the various nations around them, and by their worship of these gods provoked the LORD. Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel, and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them. He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about whom they were no longer able to withstand. Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them, as in his warning he had sworn he would do, till they were in great distress. Even when the LORD raised up judges to deliver them from the power of their despoilers, they did not listen to their judges, but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods. They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken, and did not follow their example of obedience to the commandments of the LORD.  Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge and save them from the power of their enemies as long as the judge lived; it was thus the LORD took pity on their distressful cries of affliction under their oppressors. But when the judge died, they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors, following other gods in service and worship, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct. Responsorial Psalm 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43ab and 44 R.    (4a)  Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. They did not exterminate the peoples,     as the LORD had commanded them, But mingled with the nations     and learned their works. R.    Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. They served their idols,     which became a snare for them. They sacrificed their sons      and their daughters to demons. R.    Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. They became defiled by their works,     and wanton in their crimes. And the LORD grew angry with his people,     and abhorred his inheritance. R.    Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Many times did he rescue them,     but they embittered him with their counsels. Yet he had regard for their affliction     when he heard their cry. R.    Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Alleluia Mt 5:3 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 19:16-22 A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. - - -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 56:1, 6-7 Thus says the LORD:Observe what is right, do what is just;for my salvation is about to come,my justice, about to be revealed.The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,ministering to him,loving the name of the LORD,and becoming his servants—all who keep the sabbath free from profanationand hold to my covenant,them I will bring to my holy mountainand make joyful in my house of prayer;their burnt offerings and sacrificeswill be acceptable on my altar,for my house shall be calleda house of prayer for all peoples. Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!May God have pity on us and bless us;may he let his face shine upon us.So may your way be known upon earth;among all nations, your salvation.R. O God, let all the nations praise you!May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in equity;the nations on the earth you guide.R. O God, let all the nations praise you!May the peoples praise you, O God;may all the peoples praise you!May God bless us,and may all the ends of the earth fear him!R. O God, let all the nations praise you! Reading 2 Rom 11:13-15, 29-32 Brothers and sisters:I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealousand thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed Godbut have now received mercy because of their disobedience,so they have now disobeyed in order that,by virtue of the mercy shown to you,they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience,that he might have mercy upon all. Alleluia Cf. Mt 4:23 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdomand cured every disease among the 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 Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' 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 Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply,"It is not right to take the food of the childrenand throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scrapsthat 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 the woman's daughter was healed from that hour. - - -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.