Reading 1 Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a Grief-stricken in spirit, I, Tobit, groaned and wept aloud.Then with sobs I began to pray:"You are righteous, O Lord,and all your deeds are just;All your ways are mercy and truth;you are the judge of the world.And now, O Lord, may you be mindful of me,and look with favor upon me.Punish me not for my sins,nor for my inadvertent offenses,nor for those of my ancestors. "We sinned against you,and disobeyed your commandments.So you handed us over to plundering, exile, and death,till you made us the talk and reproach of all the nationsamong whom you had dispersed us."Yes, your judgments are many and truein dealing with me as my sinsand those of my ancestors deserve.For we have not kept your commandments,nor have we trodden the paths of truth before you."So now, deal with me as you please,and command my life breath to be taken from me,that I may go from the face of the earth into dust.It is better for me to die than to live,because I have heard insulting calumnies,and I am overwhelmed with grief."Lord, command me to be delivered from such anguish;let me go to the everlasting abode;Lord, refuse me not.For it is better for me to diethan to endure so much misery in life,and to hear these insults!"On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media,it so happened that Raguel's daughter Sarahalso had to listen to abuse,from one of her father's maids.For she had been married to seven husbands,but the wicked demon Asmodeus killed them offbefore they could have intercourse with her,as it is prescribed for wives.So the maid said to her:"You are the one who strangles your husbands!Look at you!You have already been married seven times,but you have had no joy with any one of your husbands.Why do you beat us? Is it on account of your seven husbands,Because they are dead?May we never see a son or daughter of yours!"The girl was deeply saddened that day,and she went into an upper chamber of her house, where she planned to hang herself.But she reconsidered, saying to herself:"No! People would level this insult against my father:'You had only one beloved daughter,but she hanged herself because of ill fortune!'And thus would I cause my father in his old ageto go down to the nether world laden with sorrow.It is far better for me not to hang myself,but to beg the Lord to have me die,so that I need no longer live to hear such insults."At that time, then, she spread out her hands,and facing the window, poured out her prayer:"Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God,and blessed is your holy and honorable name.Blessed are you in all your works for ever!"At that very time, the prayer of these two suppliantswas heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.So Raphael was sent to heal them both:to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes,so that he might again see God's sunlight;and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah,and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 R. (1) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.In you I trust; let me not be put to shame,let not my enemies exult over me.No one who waits for you shall be put to shame;those shall be put to shame who heedlessly break faith.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Remember that your compassion, O LORD,and your kindness are from of old.In your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, O LORD.R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice,he teaches the humble his way. R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. Alleluia Jn 11:25a, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;whoever believes in me will never die.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:18-27 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,his brother must take the wifeand raise up descendants for his brother.Now there were seven brothers.The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,and the third likewise.And the seven left no descendants.Last of all the woman also died.At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?For all seven had been married to her."Jesus said to them, "Are you not misledbecause you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?When they rise from the dead,they neither marry nor are given in marriage,but they are like the angels in heaven.As for the dead being raised,have you not read in the Book of Moses,in the passage about the bush, how God told him,I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?He is not God of the dead but of the living.You are greatly misled." - - -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 Tb 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,I, Tobit, went into my courtyard to sleep next to the courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a curebut the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais.At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do. When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus, she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salaryand also gave her a young goat for the table. On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!"She said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages."Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners.I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now?Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.His heart is steadfast; he shall not feartill he looks down upon his foes. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Lavishly he gives to the poor;his generosity shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christenlighten the eyes of our hearts,that we may know what is the hopethat belongs to his call.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sentto Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.They came and said to him,"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful manand that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.You do not regard a person's statusbut teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?Should we pay or should we not pay?"Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,"Why are you testing me?Bring me a denarius to look at."They brought one to him and he said to them,"Whose image and inscription is this?"They replied to him, "Caesar's."So Jesus said to them,"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesarand to God what belongs to God."They were utterly amazed at him. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Norbert, 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.

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and martyrReading 1 Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8 I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my lifeon the paths of truth and righteousness.I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my peoplewho had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.On our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat.The table was set for me,and when many different dishes were placed before me,I said to my son Tobiah: "My son,go out and try to find a poor manfrom among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh.If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you,so that he can share this meal with me.Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back."Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours.When he returned he exclaimed, "Father!"I said to him, "What is it, son?"He answered, "Father, one of our people has been murdered!His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!"I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched;and I carried the dead man from the streetand put him in one of the rooms,so that I might bury him after sunset.Returning to my own quarters, I washed myselfand ate my food in sorrow.I was reminded of the oraclepronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel:"All your festivals shall be turned into mourning,and all your songs into lamentation."And I wept.Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another:"He is still not afraid!Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing;yet now that he has scarcely escaped,here he is again burying the dead!" Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.His generosity shall endure forever.Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Rv 1:5ab R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead;you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 12:1-12 Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes,and the elders in parables."A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it,dug a wine press, and built a tower.Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey.At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenantsto obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.But they seized him, beat him,and sent him away empty-handed.Again he sent them another servant.And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully.He sent yet another whom they killed.So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.He had one other to send, a beloved son.He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir.Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'So they seized him and killed him,and threw him out of the vineyard.What then will the owner of the vineyard do?He will come, put the tenants to death,and give the vineyard to others.Have you not read this Scripture passage:The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone;by the Lord has this been done,and it is wonderful in our eyes?"They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd,for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them.So they left him and went away. - - -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 Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9 Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinaias the LORD had commanded him,taking along the two stone tablets.Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses thereand proclaimed his name, "LORD."Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,do come along in our company.This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,and receive us as your own." Responsorial Psalm Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;And blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you who look into the depthsfrom your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever! Reading 2 2 Cor 13:11-13 Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,agree with one another, live in peace,and the God of love and peace will be with you.Greet one another with a holy kiss.All the holy ones greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christand the love of Godand the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Alleluia Cf. Rv 1:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;to God who is, who was, and who is to come.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:16-18 God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perishbut might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. - - -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.