Readings for the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priestReading 1 Ezr 9:5-9 At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God. I said: "My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you, O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven. From the time of our fathers even to this day great has been our guilt, and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up, we and our kings and our priests, to the will of the kings of foreign lands, to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace, as is the case today. "And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God, who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our servitude. For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us; rather, he has turned the good will of the kings of Persia toward us. Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins, and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem." Responsorial Psalm Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8 R. (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever.He scourges and then has mercy;he casts down to the depths of the nether world,and he brings up from the great abyss.No one can escape his hand.R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,for though he has scattered you among them,he has shown you his greatness even there.R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.So now consider what he has done for you,and praise him with full voice.Bless the Lord of righteousness,and exalt the King of ages.R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.In the land of my exile I praise himand show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,and may all of you praise his majesty.Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever. Alleluia Mk 1:15 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Kingdom of God is at hand;repent and believe in the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 9:1-6 Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authorityover all demons and to cure diseases,and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of Godand to heal the sick.He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,and let no one take a second tunic.Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.And as for those who do not welcome you,when you leave that town,shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."Then they set out and went from village to villageproclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. - - -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 Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20 King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: "Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed." The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel–priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles– celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 R. (1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.I rejoiced because they said to me,"We will go up to the house of the LORD."And now we have set footwithin your gates, O Jerusalem.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.Jerusalem, built as a citywith compact unity.To it the tribes go up,the tribes of the LORD.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.According to the decree for Israel,to give thanks to the name of the LORD.In it are set up judgment seats,seats for the house of David.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. Alleluia Lk 11:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are those who hear the word of Godand observe it.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 8:19-21 The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to himbut were unable to join him because of the crowd.He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outsideand they wish to see you."He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, martyrs - - -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 Ezr 1:1-6 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: "Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: 'All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him! Let everyone who has survived, in whatever place he may have dwelt, be assisted by the people of that place with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, together with free-will offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.'" Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites– everyone, that is, whom God had inspired to do so– prepared to go up to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, and with many precious gifts besides all their free-will offerings. Responsorial Psalm Ps 126:1b-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 R. (3) The Lord has done marvels for us.When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,we were like men dreaming.Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with rejoicing.R. The Lord has done marvels for us.Then they said among the nations,"The LORD has done great things for them."The LORD has done great things for us;we are glad indeed.R. The Lord has done marvels for us.Restore our fortunes, O LORD,like the torrents in the southern desert.Those that sow in tearsshall reap rejoicing.R. The Lord has done marvels for us.Although they go forth weeping,carrying the seed to be sown,They shall come back rejoicing,carrying their sheaves.R. The Lord has done marvels for us. Alleluia Mt 5:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Let your light shine before others,that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 8:16-18 Jesus said to the crowd:"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vesselor sets it under a bed;rather, he places it on a lampstandso that those who enter may see the light.For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.Take care, then, how you hear.To anyone who has, more will be given,and from the one who has not,even what he seems to have will be taken 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 Is 55:6-9 Seek the LORD while he may be found,call him while he is near.Let the scoundrel forsake his way,and the wicked his thoughts;let him turn to the LORD for mercy;to our God, who is generous in forgiving.For my thoughts are not your thoughts,nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.As high as the heavens are above the earth,so high are my ways above your waysand my thoughts above your thoughts. Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 R. (18a) The Lord is near to all who call upon him.Every day will I bless you,and I will praise your name forever and ever.Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;his greatness is unsearchable.R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and of great kindness.The LORD is good to alland compassionate toward all his works.R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.The LORD is just in all his waysand holy in all his works.The LORD is near to all who call upon him,to all who call upon him in truth.R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him. Reading 2 Phil 1:20c-24, 27a Brothers and sisters:Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh,that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ,for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the fleshis more necessary for your benefit.Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ. Alleluia Cf. Acts 16:14b R. Alleluia, alleluia.Open our hearts, O Lord,to listen to the words of your Son.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 20:1-16a Jesus told his disciples this parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like a landownerwho went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock,the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard,and I will give you what is just.'So they went off. And he went out again around noon,and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock,the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,'Why do you stand here idle all day?'They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.'He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,'Summon the laborers and give them their pay,beginning with the last and ending with the first.'When those who had started about five o'clock came,each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,'These last ones worked only one hour,and you have made them equal to us,who bore the day's burden and the heat.'He said to one of them in reply,'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." - - - 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.