Reading 1 Ez 2:2-5 As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into meand set me on my feet,and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,rebels who have rebelled against me;they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.Hard of face and obstinate of heartare they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD GOD! And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them. Responsorial Psalm Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.To you I lift up my eyeswho are enthroned in heaven —As the eyes of servantsare on the hands of their masters.R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.As the eyes of a maidare on the hands of her mistress,So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,till he have pity on us.R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,for we are more than sated with contempt;our souls are more than satedwith the mockery of the arrogant,with the contempt of the proud.R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy. Reading 2 2 Cor 12:7-10 Brothers and sisters:That I, Paul, might not become too elated,because of the abundance of the revelations,a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,hardships, persecutions, and constraints,for the sake of Christ;for when I am weak, then I am strong. Alleluia Cf. Lk 4:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 6:1-6 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them,“A prophet is not without honor except in his native placeand among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.He was amazed at their lack of faith. - - - 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  AM 9:11-15 Thus says the LORD:On that day I will raise upthe fallen hut of David;I will wall up its breaches,raise up its ruins,and rebuild it as in the days of old,That they may conquer what is left of Edomand all the nations that shall bear my name,say I, the LORD, who will do this.Yes, days are coming,says the LORD,When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,and the vintager, him who sows the seed;The juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains,and all the hills shall run with it.I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel;they shall rebuild and inhabit their ruined cities,Plant vineyards and drink the wine,set out gardens and eat the fruits.I will plant them upon their own ground;never again shall they be pluckedFrom the land I have given them,say I, the LORD, your God. Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 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 peace to his people.Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.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 JN 10:27 R. Alleluia, alleluia.My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;I know them, and they follow me.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  MT 9:14-17 The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”  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 Am 8:4-6, 9-12 Hear this, you who trample upon the needyand destroy the poor of the land!"When will the new moon be over," you ask,"that we may sell our grain,and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?"We will diminish the containers for measuring,add to the weights,and fix our scales for cheating!We will buy the lowly man for silver,and the poor man for a pair of sandals;even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"On that day, says the Lord GOD,I will make the sun set at middayand cover the earth with darkness in broad daylight.I will turn your feasts into mourningand all your songs into lamentations.I will cover the loins of all with sackclothand make every head bald.I will make them mourn as for an only son,and bring their day to a bitter end.Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD,when I will send famine upon the land:Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water,but for hearing the word of the LORD.Then shall they wander from sea to seaand rove from the north to the eastIn search of the word of the LORD,but they shall not find it. Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131 R.    (Matthew 4:4) One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.Blessed are they who observe his decrees,who seek him with all their heart. R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.With all my heart I seek you;let me not stray from your commands.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.My soul is consumed with longingfor your ordinances at all times. R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.The way of truth I have chosen;I have set your ordinances before me.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.Behold, I long for your precepts;in your justice give me life.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.I gasp with open mouthin my yearning for your commands.R. One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 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." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of PortugalReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest - - - 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 Am 7:10-17 Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,king of Israel:"Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;the country cannot endure all his words.For this is what Amos says:Jeroboam shall die by the sword,and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land."To Amos, Amaziah said:"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!There earn your bread by prophesying,but never again prophesy in Bethel;for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'Now hear the word of the LORD!"You say: prophesy not against Israel,preach not against the house of Isaac.Now thus says the LORD:Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;Your land shall be divided by measuring line,and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;Israel shall be exiled far from its land. Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul;The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart;The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.They are more precious than gold,than a heap of purest gold;Sweeter also than syrupor honey from the comb.R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just. 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 Man has 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 awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.   - - -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.