Reading 1 Rom 4:13, 16-18 Brothers and sisters:It was not through the lawthat the promise was made to Abraham and his descendantsthat he would inherit the world,but through the righteousness that comes from faith.For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift,and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,not to those who only adhere to the lawbut to those who follow the faith of Abraham,who is the father of all of us, as it is written,I have made you father of many nations.He is our father in the sight of God,in whom he believed, who gives life to the deadand calls into being what does not exist.He believed, hoping against hope,that he would become the father of many nations,according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. Responsorial Psalm PS 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43 R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.You descendants of Abraham, his servants,sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!He, the LORD, is our God;throughout the earth his judgments prevail.R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.He remembers forever his covenantwhich he made binding for a thousand generations –Which he entered into with Abrahamand by his oath to Isaac.R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.For he remembered his holy wordto his servant Abraham.And he led forth his people with joy;with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. alleluia  Jn 15:26b, 27a R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,and you also will testify.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 12:8-12 Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you,everyone who acknowledges me before othersthe Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.But whoever denies me before otherswill be denied before the angels of God."Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spiritwill not be forgiven.When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,do not worry about how or what your defense will beor about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." - - -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 Rom 4:1-8 Brothers and sisters:What can we say that Abraham found,our ancestor according to the flesh?Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works,he has reason to boast;but this was not so in the sight of God.For what does the Scripture say?Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.But when one does not work,yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly,his faith is credited as righteousness. So also David declares the blessedness of the personto whom God credits righteousness apart from works:Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgivenand whose sins are covered.Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record. Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1b-2, 5, 11 R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,whose sin is covered.Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,in whose spirit there is no guile.R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.Then I acknowledged my sin to you,my guilt I covered not.I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"and you took away the guilt of my sin.R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;exult, all you upright of heart.R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. Alleluia Ps 33:22 R. Alleluia, alleluia.May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us;who have put our hope in you.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 12:1-7 At that time:So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot.Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,"Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees."There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,nor secret that will not be known.Therefore whatever you have said in the darknesswill be heard in the light,and what you have whispered behind closed doorswill be proclaimed on the housetops.I tell you, my friends,do not be afraid of those who kill the bodybut after that can do no more.I shall show you whom to fear.Be afraid of the one who after killinghas the power to cast into Gehenna;yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.Do not be afraid.You are worth more than many sparrows." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, 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 Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and their companions, martyrsReading 1 Rom 3:21-30 Brothers and sisters:Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,though testified to by the law and the prophets,the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christfor all who believe.For there is no distinction;all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.They are justified freely by his gracethrough the redemption in Christ Jesus,whom God set forth as an expiation,through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousnessbecause of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,through the forbearance of God–to prove his righteousness in the present time,that he might be righteousand justify the one who has faith in Jesus.What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out.On what principle, that of works?No, rather on the principle of faith.For we consider that a person is justified by faithapart from works of the law.Does God belong to Jews alone?Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is oneand will justify the circumcised on the basis of faithand the uncircumcised through faith. Responsorial Psalm Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab R. (7) With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;LORD, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentiveto my voice in supplication.R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,Lord, who can stand?But with you is forgiveness,that you may be revered.R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.I trust in the LORD;my soul trusts in his word.My soul waits for the LORDmore than sentinels wait for the dawn.R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. Alleluia Jn 14:6 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;no one comes to the Father except through me.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 11:47-54 The Lord said:"Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed.Consequently, you bear witness and give consentto the deeds of your ancestors,for they killed them and you do the building.Therefore, the wisdom of God said,'I will send to them prophets and Apostles;some of them they will kill and persecute'in order that this generation might be chargedwith the blood of all the prophetsshed since the foundation of the world,from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariahwho died between the altar and the temple building.Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!Woe to you, scholars of the law!You have taken away the key of knowledge.You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."When Jesus left, the scribes and Phariseesbegan to act with hostility toward himand to interrogate him about many things,for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. - - -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 Tm 4:10-17b Beloved:Demas, enamored of the present world,deserted me and went to Thessalonica,Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.Luke is the only one with me.Get Mark and bring him with you,for he is helpful to me in the ministry.I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm;the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.You too be on guard against him,for he has strongly resisted our preaching.At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,but everyone deserted me.May it not be held against them!But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,so that through me the proclamation might be completedand all the Gentiles might hear it. Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18 R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,and let your faithful ones bless you.Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdomand speak of your might.R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.Making known to men your mightand the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,and your dominion endures through all generations.R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.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. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom. 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 10:1-9 The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two discipleswhom he sent ahead of him in pairsto every town and place he intended to visit.He said to them,"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.Go on your way;behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;and greet no one along the way.Into whatever house you enter,first say, 'Peace to this household.'If a peaceful person lives there,your peace will rest on him;but if not, it will return to you.Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,for the laborer deserves payment.Do not move about from one house to another.Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,eat what is set before you,cure the sick in it and say to them,'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'" - - -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.