Reading 1 Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years. She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her. Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites: "Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground, that I may bury my dead wife." After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: "Put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live, but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac." The servant asked him: "What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?" "Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him. "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'– he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there. If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath. But never take my son back there!" A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb. One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching. Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel and asked the servant, "Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?" "That is my master," replied the servant. Then she covered herself with her veil. The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done. Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah. Responsorial Psalm Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5 R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his mercy endures forever.Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,or proclaim all his praises?R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.Blessed are they who observe what is right,who do always what is just.Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people. R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.Visit me with your saving help,That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,rejoice in the joy of your people,and glory with your inheritance.R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 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.""  - - -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 Gn 22:1b-19 God put Abraham to the test.He called to him, "Abraham!""Here I am," he replied.Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,and go to the land of Moriah.There you shall offer him up as a burnt offeringon a height that I will point out to you."Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well,and with the wood that he had cut for the burnt offering,set out for the place of which God had told him.On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.Then he said to his servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey,while the boy and I go on over yonder.We will worship and then come back to you." Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the burnt offeringand laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders,while he himself carried the fire and the knife.As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham:"Father!" he said."Yes, son," he replied.Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood,but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?""Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering."Then the two continued going forward.When they came to the place of which God had told him,Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.Next he tied up his son Isaac,and put him on top of the wood on the altar.Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,"Abraham, Abraham!""Here I am," he answered. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger."Do not do the least thing to him.I know now how devoted you are to God,since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."As Abraham looked about,he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.So he went and took the ramand offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son.Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh;hence people now say, "On the mountain the LORD will see."Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,that because you acted as you didin not withholding from me your beloved son,I will bless you abundantlyand make your descendants as countlessas the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;your descendants shall take possessionof the gates of their enemies,and in your descendants all the nations of the earthshall find blessing--all this because you obeyed my command."Abraham then returned to his servants,and they set out together for Beer-sheba,where Abraham made his home. Responsorial Psalm Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. (9) I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.Not to us, O LORD, not to usbut to your name give glorybecause of your kindness, because of your truth.Why should the pagans say, "Where is their God?"R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.Our God is in heaven;whatever he wills, he does.Their idols are silver and gold,the handiwork of men.R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.They have mouths but speak not;they have eyes but see not;They have ears but hear not;they have noses but smell not.R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia.Their makers shall be like them,everyone who trusts in them.The house of Israel trusts in the LORD;he is their help and their shield.R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.or:R. Alleluia. 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 Manhas 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 aweand glorified God who had given such authority to men. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Maria Goretti, virgin 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 Gn 21:5, 8-20a Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.Isaac grew, and on the day of the child's weaningAbraham held a great feast.Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptianhad borne to Abrahamplaying with her son Isaac;so she demanded of Abraham:"Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritancewith my son Isaac!"Abraham was greatly distressed,especially on account of his son Ishmael.But God said to Abraham: "Do not be distressed about the boyor about your slave woman.Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you;for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.As for the son of the slave woman,I will make a great nation of him also,since he too is your offspring."Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of waterand gave them to Hagar.Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away.As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba,the water in the skin was used up.So she put the child down under a shrub,and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away;for she said to herself, "Let me not watch to see the child die." As she sat opposite Ishmael, he began to cry.God heard the boy's cry,and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven:"What is the matter, Hagar?Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his.Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand;for I will make of him a great nation."Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.God was with the boy as he grew up. Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13 R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,and from all his distress he saved him.The angel of the LORD encampsaround those who fear him, and delivers them.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,for nought is lacking to those who fear him.The great grow poor and hungry;but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.Come, children, hear me;I will teach you the fear of the LORD.Which of you desires life,and takes delight in prosperous days?R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Alleluia Jas 1:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truththat we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 8:28-34 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes,two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him.They were so savage that no one could travel by that road.They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.The demons pleaded with him,"If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."And he said to them, "Go then!"They came out and entered the swine,and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the seawhere they drowned.The swineherds ran away,and when they came to the town they reported everything,including what had happened to the demoniacs.Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus,and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priestReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal - - -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 Gn 19:15-29 As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, "On your way!Take with you your wife and your two daughters who are here,or you will be swept away in the punishment of Sodom."When he hesitated, the men, by the LORD's mercy,seized his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughtersand led them to safety outside the city.As soon as they had been brought outside, he was told:"Flee for your life!Don't look back or stop anywhere on the Plain.Get off to the hills at once, or you will be swept away.""Oh, no, my lord!" Lot replied,"You have already thought enough of your servantto do me the great kindness of intervening to save my life.But I cannot flee to the hills to keep the disaster from overtaking me,and so I shall die. Look, this town ahead is near enough to escape to.It's only a small place.Let me flee there–it's a small place, is it not?–that my life may be saved.""Well, then," he replied,"I will also grant you the favor you now ask.I will not overthrow the town you speak of. Hurry, escape there!I cannot do anything until you arrive there."That is why the town is called Zoar.The sun was just rising over the earth as Lot arrived in Zoar;at the same time the LORD rained down sulphurous fireupon Sodom and Gomorrahfrom the LORD out of heaven.He overthrew those cities and the whole Plain,together with the inhabitants of the citiesand the produce of the soil.But Lot's wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.Early the next morning Abraham went to the placewhere he had stood in the LORD's presence.As he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrahand the whole region of the Plain,he saw dense smoke over the land rising like fumes from a furnace.Thus it came to pass: when God destroyed the Cities of the Plain,he was mindful of Abraham by sending Lot away from the upheavalby which God overthrew the cities where Lot had been living. Responsorial Psalm Ps 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12 R.(3a) O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.Search me, O LORD, and try me;test my soul and my heart.For your mercy is before my eyes,and I walk in your truth.R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.Gather not my soul with those of sinners,nor with men of blood my life.On their hands are crimes,and their right hands are full of bribes.R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.But I walk in integrity;redeem me, and have mercy on me.My foot stands on level ground;in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes. 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.