Readings for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin MaryReading 1 Ex 16:1-5, 9-15 The children of Israel set out from Elim, and came into the desert of Sin,which is between Elim and Sinai,on the fifteenth day of the second monthafter their departure from the land of Egypt.Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israelgrumbled against Moses and Aaron.The children of Israel said to them,"Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt,as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!But you had to lead us into this desertto make the whole community die of famine!"Then the LORD said to Moses,"I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;thus will I test them,to see whether they follow my instructions or not.On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they bring in,let it be twice as much as they gather on the other days."Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole congregation of the children of Israel:Present yourselves before the LORD,for he has heard your grumbling."When Aaron announced this to the whole assembly of the children of Israel,they turned toward the desert, and lo,the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud!The LORD spoke to Moses and said,"I have heard the grumbling of the children of Israel.Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desertwere fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.On seeing it, the children of Israel asked one another, "What is this?"for they did not know what it was.But Moses told them,"This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat." Responsorial Psalm Ps 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28 R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.They tempted God in their heartsby demanding the food they craved.Yes, they spoke against God, saying,"Can God spread a table in the desert?"R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.Yet he commanded the skies aboveand the doors of heaven he opened;He rained manna upon them for foodand gave them heavenly bread. R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.Man ate the bread of angels,food he sent them in abundance.He stirred up the east wind in the heavens,and by his power brought on the south wind.R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.And he rained meat upon them like dust,and, like the sand of the sea, winged fowl,Which fell in the midst of their campround about their tents. R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;All who come to him will live for ever.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:1-9 On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.Such large crowds gathered around himthat he got into a boat and sat down,and the whole crowd stood along the shore.And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:"A sower went out to sow.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,and birds came and ate it up.Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,and when the sun rose it was scorched,and it withered for lack of roots.Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.Whoever has ears ought to hear." - - -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 Cor 4:7-15 Brothers and sisters:We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not abandoned;struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.For we who live are constantly being given up to deathfor the sake of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.So death is at work in us, but life in you.Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesuswill raise us also with Jesusand place us with you in his presence.Everything indeed is for you,so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more peoplemay cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Responsorial Psalm Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.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. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.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. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.Restore our fortunes, O LORD,like the torrents in the southern desert.Those that sow in tearsshall reap rejoicing.R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.Although they go forth weeping,carrying the seed to be sown,They shall come back rejoicing,carrying their sheaves. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. 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 Mt 20:20-28 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sonsand did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.He said to her,"What do you wish?"She answered him,"Command that these two sons of mine sit,one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom."Jesus said in reply,"You do not know what you are asking.Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"They said to him, "We can."He replied,"My chalice you will indeed drink,but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to givebut is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."When the ten heard this,they became indignant at the two brothers.But Jesus summoned them and said,"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,and the great ones make their authority over them felt.But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." - - -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 14:5-18 When it was reported to the king of Egyptthat the people had fled,Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them.They exclaimed, "What have we done!Why, we have released Israel from our service!"So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers—six hundred first-class chariotsand all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all.So obstinate had the LORD made Pharaohthat he pursued the children of Israeleven while they were marching away in triumph.The Egyptians, then, pursued them;Pharaoh's whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers,caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea,at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.Pharaoh was already near when the children of Israel looked upand saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them.In great fright they cried out to the LORD.And they complained to Moses,"Were there no burial places in Egyptthat you had to bring us out here to die in the desert?Why did you do this to us?Why did you bring us out of Egypt?Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said,'Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians'?Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptiansthan to die in the desert."But Moses answered the people,"Fear not! Stand your ground,and you will see the victory the LORD will win for you today.These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again.The LORD himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still."Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me?Tell the children of Israel to go forward.And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea,split the sea in two,that the children of Israel may pass through it on dry land.But I will make the Egyptians so obstinatethat they will go in after them.Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army,his chariots and charioteers.The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD,when I receive glory through Pharaohand his chariots and charioteers." Responsorial Psalm Ex 15:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.He is my God, I praise him;the God of my father, I extol him.R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.The LORD is a warrior,LORD is his name!Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea;the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.The flood waters covered them,they sank into the depths like a stone.Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power,your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory. Alleluia Ps 95:8 R. Alleluia, alleluia.If today you hear his voice,harden not your hearts.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 12:38-42 Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."He said to them in reply,"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,but no sign will be given itexcept the sign of Jonah the prophet.Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earththree days and three nights.At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generationand condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;and there is something greater than Jonah here.At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generationand condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earthto hear the wisdom of Solomon;and there is something greater than Solomon here." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, 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.

Reading 1 Wis 12:13, 16-19 There is no god besides you who have the care of all,that you need show you have not unjustly condemned.For your might is the source of justice;your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved;and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,and with much lenience you govern us;for power, whenever you will, attends you.And you taught your people, by these deeds,that those who are just must be kind;and you gave your children good ground for hopethat you would permit repentance for their sins. Responsorial Psalm Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 R. (5a) Lord, you are good and forgiving.You, O LORD, are good and forgiving,abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.Hearken, O LORD, to my prayerand attend to the sound of my pleading.R. Lord, you are good and forgiving.All the nations you have made shall comeand worship you, O LORD,and glorify your name.For you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;you alone are God.R. Lord, you are good and forgiving.You, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious,slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.Turn toward me, and have pity on me;give your strength to your servant.R. Lord, you are good and forgiving. Reading 2 Rom 8:26-27 Brothers and sisters:The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;for we do not know how to pray as we ought,but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches heartsknows what is the intention of the Spirit,because he intercedes for the holy onesaccording to God's will. Alleluia Cf. Mt 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:24-43 Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:"The kingdom of heaven may be likenedto a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy cameand sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said,'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'His slaves said to him,'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weedsyou might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest;then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;but gather the wheat into my barn."'"He proposed another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seedthat a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds,yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush,and the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'"He spoke to them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeastthat a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flouruntil the whole batch was leavened."All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables,to fulfill what had been said through the prophet:I will open my mouth in parables,I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundationof the world.Then, dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said,"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,and the enemy who sows them is the devil.The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels,and they will collect out of his kingdomall who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace,where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear." or Mt 13:24-30 Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:"The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a manwho sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy cameand sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said,'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weedsyou might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest;then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,"First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;but gather the wheat into my barn."'" Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Bridget of Sweden, religious - - -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.