Readings for the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyrReading 1 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31 It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrestedand tortured with whips and scourges by the king,to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,she exhorted each of themin the language of their ancestors with these words:"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;it was not I who gave you the breath of life,nor was it I who set in orderthe elements of which each of you is composed.Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universewho shapes each man's beginning,as he brings about the origin of everything,he, in his mercy,will give you back both breath and life,because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,thought he was being ridiculed.As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,not with mere words, but with promises on oath,to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:he would make him his Friendand entrust him with high office.When the youth paid no attention to him at all,the king appealed to the mother,urging her to advise her boy to save his life.After he had urged her for a long time,she went through the motions of persuading her son.In derision of the cruel tyrant,she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:"Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,nursed you for three years, brought you up,educated and supported you to your present age.I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earthand see all that is in them;then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;and in the same way the human race came into existence.Do not be afraid of this executioner,but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them."She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:"What are you waiting for?I will not obey the king's command.I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,will not escape the hands of God." Responsorial Psalm Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15 R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.Hear, O LORD, a just suit;attend to my outcry;hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.My steps have been steadfast in your paths,my feet have not faltered.I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;incline your ear to me; hear my word.R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.Keep me as the apple of your eye;hide me in the shadow of your wings.But I in justice shall behold your face;on waking, I shall be content in your presence.R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. Alleluia See Jn 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I chose you from the world,to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 19:11-28 While people were listening to Jesus speak,he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalemand they thought that the Kingdom of Godwould appear there immediately.So he said,"A nobleman went off to a distant countryto obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coinsand told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.'His fellow citizens, however, despised himand sent a delegation after him to announce,'We do not want this man to be our king.'But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,to learn what they had gained by trading.The first came forward and said,'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.'He replied, 'Well done, good servant!You have been faithful in this very small matter;take charge of ten cities.'Then the second came and reported,'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.'And to this servant too he said,'You, take charge of five cities.'Then the other servant came and said,'Sir, here is your gold coin;I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;you take up what you did not lay downand you harvest what you did not plant.'He said to him,'With your own words I shall condemn you,you wicked servant.You knew I was a demanding man,taking up what I did not lay downand harvesting what I did not plant;why did you not put my money in a bank?Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.'And to those standing by he said,'Take the gold coin from himand give it to the servant who has ten.'But they said to him,'Sir, he has ten gold coins.'He replied, 'I tell you,to everyone who has, more will be given,but from the one who has not,even what he has will be taken away.Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,bring them here and slay them before me.'"After he had said this,he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. - - -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 Presentation of the Virgin MaryReading 1 2 Mc 6:18-31 Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,a man of advanced age and noble appearance,was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,he spat out the meat,and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the foodwhich it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,because of their long acquaintance with him,and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,such as he could legitimately eat,and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrificeprescribed by the king;in this way he would escape the death penalty,and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,the merited distinction of his gray hair,and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;and so he declared that above allhe would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.He told them to send him at onceto the abode of the dead, explaining:"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazarhad gone over to an alien religion.Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,they would be led astray by me,while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,I shall never, whether alive or dead,escape the hands of the Almighty.Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age,and I will leave to the young a noble exampleof how to die willingly and generouslyfor the revered and holy laws."Eleazar spoke thus,and went immediately to the instrument of torture.Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,now became hostile toward him because what he had saidseemed to them utter madness.When he was about to die under the blows,he groaned and said:"The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,although I could have escaped death,I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,but also suffering it with joy in my soulbecause of my devotion to him."This is how he died,leaving in his death a model of courageand an unforgettable example of virtuenot only for the young but for the whole nation. Responsorial Psalm PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (6b) The Lord upholds me.O LORD, how many are my adversaries!Many rise up against me!Many are saying of me,"There is no salvation for him in God."R. The Lord upholds me.But you, O LORD, are my shield;my glory, you lift up my head!When I call out to the LORD,he answers me from his holy mountain.R. The Lord upholds me.When I lie down in sleep,I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.I fear not the myriads of peoplearrayed against me on every side.R. The Lord upholds me. Alleluia 1 Jn 4:10b R. Alleluia, alleluia.God loved us, and sent his Sonas expiation for our sins.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 19:1-10 At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.Now a man there named Zacchaeus,who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was;but he could not see him because of the crowd,for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,who was about to pass that way.When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly,for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,and if I have extorted anything from anyoneI shall repay it four times over."And Jesus said to him,"Today salvation has come to this housebecause this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seekand to save what was lost." - - -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 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 [From the descendants of Alexander's officers]there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes,son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome.He became king in the year one hundred and thirty sevenof the kingdom of the Greeks.In those days there appeared in Israelmen who were breakers of the law,and they seduced many people, saying:"Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us;since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us."The proposal was agreeable;some from among the people promptly went to the king,and he authorized them to introduce the way of livingof the Gentiles.Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalemaccording to the Gentile custom.They covered over the mark of their circumcisionand abandoned the holy covenant;they allied themselves with the Gentilesand sold themselves to wrongdoing.Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,each abandoning his particular customs.All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king,and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion;they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev,in the year one hundred and forty-five,the king erected the horrible abominationupon the altar of burnt offeringsand in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars.They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt.Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant,and whoever observed the law,was condemned to death by royal decree.But many in Israel were determinedand resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean foodor to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.Terrible affliction was upon Israel. Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 R. (see 88) Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.Indignation seizes me because of the wickedwho forsake your law.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,your law I have not forgotten.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.Redeem me from the oppression of men,that I may keep your precepts.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.I am attacked by malicious persecutorswho are far from your law.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.Far from sinners is salvation,because they seek not your statutes.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.I beheld the apostates with loathing,because they kept not to your promise.R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Allelujia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 18:35-43 As Jesus approached Jerichoa blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.They told him,"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"The people walking in front rebuked him,telling him to be silent,but he kept calling out all the more,"Son of David, have pity on me!"Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;and when he came near, Jesus asked him,"What do you want me to do for you?"He replied, "Lord, please let me see."Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."He immediately received his sightand followed him, giving glory to God.When they saw this, all the people gave praise to 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.

Reading 1 Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 When one finds a worthy wife,her value is far beyond pearls.Her husband, entrusting his heart to her,has an unfailing prize.She brings him good, and not evil,all the days of her life.She obtains wool and flaxand works with loving hands.She puts her hands to the distaff,and her fingers ply the spindle.She reaches out her hands to the poor,and extends her arms to the needy.Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.Give her a reward for her labors,and let her works praise her at the city gates. Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. (cf. 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored.R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;Your children like olive plantsaround your table.R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life.R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Reading 2 1 Thes 5:1-6 Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will comelike a thief at night.When people are saying, "Peace and security, "then sudden disaster comes upon them,like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,and they will not escape.But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the lightand children of the day.We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,but let us stay alert and sober. Alleluia Jn 15:4a, 5b R. Alleluia, alleluia.Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord.Whoever remains in me bears much fruit.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 25:14-30 Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-- to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'" Or Mt 25:14-15, 19-21 Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one-- to each according to his ability. Then he went away. "After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'" - - -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.