Reading I Is 49:1-6 Hear me, O coastlands,             listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth,             from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword             and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow,             in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me,             Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain,             and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD,             my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken             who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him             and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,             and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,             to raise up the tribes of Jacob,             and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations,             that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.   Responsorial Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 R.        (14)  I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:             you know when I sit and when I stand;             you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,             with all my ways you are familiar. R.        I praise you for I am wonderfully made. Truly you have formed my inmost being;             you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;             wonderful are your works. R.        I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. My soul also you knew full well;             nor was my frame unknown to you When I was made in secret,             when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. R.        I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. Reading II Acts 13:22-26 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as king; of him God testified,I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ “My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.” Alleluia See Lk 1:76 R. Alleluia, alleluia. You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. - - -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 I Jb 38:1, 8-11 The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said:     Who shut within doors the sea,         when it burst forth from the womb;     when I made the clouds its garment         and thick darkness its swaddling bands?     When I set limits for it         and fastened the bar of its door,     and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther,         and here shall your proud waves be stilled! Responsorial Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31 R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. or: R. Alleluia. They who sailed the sea in ships,     trading on the deep waters, These saw the works of the LORD     and his wonders in the abyss. R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. or: R. Alleluia. His command raised up a storm wind     which tossed its waves on high. They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;     their hearts melted away in their plight. R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. or: R. Alleluia. They cried to the LORD in their distress;     from their straits he rescued them, He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,     and the billows of the sea were stilled. R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. or: R. Alleluia. They rejoiced that they were calmed,     and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness     and his wondrous deeds to the children of men. R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting. or: R. Alleluia. Reading II 2 Cor 5:14-17 Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. Alleluia Lk 7:16 R.    Alleluia, alleluia. A great prophet has risen in our midst  God has visited his people. R.    Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet!  Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and 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.

Reading 1 2 Chr 24:17-25 After the death of Jehoiada,the princes of Judah came and paid homage to King Joash,and the king then listened to them.They forsook the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers,and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols;and because of this crime of theirs,wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem.Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD,the people would not listen to their warnings.Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah,son of Jehoiada the priest.He took his stand above the people and said to them:"God says, 'Why are you transgressing the LORD's commands,so that you cannot prosper?Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you.'"But they conspired against him,and at the king's order they stoned him to deathin the court of the LORD's temple.Thus King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown himby Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, and slew his son.And as Zechariah was dying, he said, "May the LORD see and avenge."At the turn of the year a force of Arameans came up against Joash.They invaded Judah and Jerusalem,did away with all the princes of the people,and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.Though the Aramean force came with few men,the LORD surrendered a very large force into their power,because Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers.So punishment was meted out to Joash.After the Arameans had departed from him,leaving him in grievous suffering,his servants conspired against himbecause of the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest.He was buried in the City of David,but not in the tombs of the kings. Responsorial Psalm Ps 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34 R. (29a) For ever I will maintain my love for my servant."I have made a covenant with my chosen one,I have sworn to David my servant:Forever will I confirm your posterityand establish your throne for all generations."R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant."Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,and my covenant with him stands firm.I will make his posterity endure foreverand his throne as the days of heaven."R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant."If his sons forsake my lawand walk not according to my ordinances,If they violate my statutesand keep not my commands."R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant."I will punish their crime with a rodand their guilt with stripes.Yet my mercy I will not take from him,nor will I belie my faithfulness."R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant. Alleluia 2 Cor 8:9 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,so that by his poverty you might become rich.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 6:24-34 Jesus said to his disciples:"No one can serve two masters.He will either hate one and love the other,or be devoted to one and despise the other.You cannot serve God and mammon."Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,what you will eat or drink,or about your body, what you will wear.Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?Look at the birds in the sky;they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are not you more important than they?Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?Why are you anxious about clothes?Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.They do not work or spin.But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas clothed like one of them.If God so clothes the grass of the field,which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?'or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'All these things the pagans seek.Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.Sufficient for a day is its own evil." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr and Saint Thomas More, martyrReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Paulinus of Nola, 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 Aloysius Gonzaga, religious Reading 1 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah,saw that her son was dead,she began to kill off the whole royal family.But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah,took Joash, his son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse,from the bedroom where the princes were about to be slain.She concealed him from Athaliah, and so he did not die.For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the LORD,while Athaliah ruled the land.But in the seventh year,Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Cariansand of the guards.He had them come to him in the temple of the LORD,exacted from them a sworn commitment,and then showed them the king's son.The captains did just as Jehoiada the priest commanded.Each one with his men, both those going on duty for the sabbathand those going off duty that week,came to Jehoiada the priest.He gave the captains King David's spears and shields,which were in the temple of the LORD.And the guards, with drawn weapons,lined up from the southern to the northern limit of the enclosure,surrounding the altar and the temple on the king's behalf.Then Jehoiada led out the king's sonand put the crown and the insignia upon him.They proclaimed him king and anointed him,clapping their hands and shouting, "Long live the king!"Athaliah heard the noise made by the people,and appeared before them in the temple of the LORD.When she saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom,and the captains and trumpeters near him,with all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets,she tore her garments and cried out, "Treason, treason!"Then Jehoiada the priest instructed the captainsin command of the force:"Bring her outside through the ranks.If anyone follows her," he added, "let him die by the sword."He had given orders that sheshould not be slain in the temple of the LORD.She was led out forcibly to the horse gate of the royal palace,where she was put to death.Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD as one partyand the king and the people as the other,by which they would be the LORD's people;and another covenant, between the king and the people.Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baaland demolished it.They shattered its altars and images completely,and slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, before the altars.Jehoiada appointed a detachment for the temple of the LORD.All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet,now that Athaliah had been slain with the swordat the royal palace. Responsorial Psalm Ps 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 R. (13) The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.The LORD swore to Davida firm promise from which he will not withdraw:"Your own offspringI will set upon your throne."R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling."If your sons keep my covenantand the decrees which I shall teach them,Their sons, too, forevershall sit upon your throne."R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.For the LORD has chosen Zion;he prefers her for his dwelling."Zion is my resting place forever;in her will I dwell, for I prefer her."R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling."In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David;I will place a lamp for my anointed.His enemies I will clothe with shame,but upon him my crown shall shine."R. The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling. 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 6:19-23 Jesus said to his disciples:"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.But store up treasures in heaven,where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."The lamp of the body is the eye.If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light;but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be." - - - 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.