Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Faustina Kowalska, virginReading 1 Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate,and they called upon Ezra the scribeto bring forth the book of the law of Moseswhich the LORD prescribed for Israel.On the first day of the seventh month, therefore,Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,which consisted of men, women,and those children old enough to understand.Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,he read out of the book from daybreak until midday,in the presence of the men, the women,and those children old enough to understand;and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platformthat had been made for the occasion.He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it(for he was standing higher up than any of the people);and, as he opened it, all the people rose.Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, "Amen, amen!"Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,their faces to the ground.As the people remained in their places,Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribeand the Levites who were instructing the peoplesaid to all the people:"Today is holy to the LORD your God.Do not be sad, and do not weep"–for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;for today is holy to our LORD.Do not be saddened this day,for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"And the Levites quieted all the people, saying,"Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened."Then all the people went to eat and drink,to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy,for they understood the words that had been expounded to them. Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The law of the LORD is perfect,refreshing the soul;The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,giving wisdom to the simple.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart;The command of the LORD is clear,enlightening the eye;R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.The fear of the LORD is pure,enduring forever;The ordinances of the LORD are true,all of them just.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.They are more precious than gold,than a heap of purest gold;Sweeter also than syrupor honey from the comb.R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. 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 10:1-12 Jesus appointed seventy-two other 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 his 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.'Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,go out into the streets and say,'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,even that we shake off against you.'Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, 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 Saint Francis of Assisi, religiousReading 1 Neh 2:1-8 In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,when the wine was in my charge,I took some and offered it to the king.As I had never before been sad in his presence,the king asked me, "Why do you look sad?If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart."Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king:"May the king live forever!How could I not look sadwhen the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins,and its gates have been eaten out by fire?"The king asked me, "What is it, then, that you wish?"I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king:"If it please the king,and if your servant is deserving of your favor,send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors' graves,to rebuild it."Then the king, and the queen seated beside him,asked me how long my journey would takeand when I would return.I set a date that was acceptable to him,and the king agreed that I might go.I asked the king further: "If it please the king,let letters be given to me for the governorsof West-of-Euphrates,that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah;also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park,that he may give me wood for timbering the gatesof the temple-citadel and for the city walland the house that I shall occupy."The king granted my requests,for the favoring hand of my God was upon me. Responsorial Psalm Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!By the streams of Babylonwe sat and weptwhen we remembered Zion.On the aspens of that landwe hung up our harps.R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!Though there our captors asked of usthe lyrics of our songs,And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:"Sing for us the songs of Zion!"R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!How could we sing a song of the LORDin a foreign land?If I forget you, Jerusalem,may my right hand be forgotten! R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!May my tongue cleave to my palateif I remember you not,If I place not Jerusalemahead of my joy.R. Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you! Alleluia Phil 3:8-9 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I consider all things so much rubbishthat I may gain Christ and be found in him.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 9:57-62 As Jesus and his disciples were proceedingon their journey, someone said to him,"I will follow you wherever you go."Jesus answered him,"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."And to another he said, "Follow me."But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,but first let me say farewell to my family at home."Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plowand looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of 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 Zec 8:20-23 Thus says the LORD of hosts:There shall yet come peoples,the inhabitants of many cities;and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another,and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD";and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."Many peoples and strong nations shall cometo seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalemand to implore the favor of the LORD.Thus says the LORD of hosts:In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold,yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,"Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." Responsorial Psalm Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (Zec 8:23) God is with us.His foundation upon the holy mountainsthe LORD loves:The gates of Zion,more than any dwelling of Jacob.Glorious things are said of you,O city of God!R. God is with us.I tell of Egypt and Babylonamong those that know the LORD;Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:"This man was born there."And of Zion they shall say:"One and all were born in her;And he who has established heris the Most High LORD."R. God is with us.They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:"This man was born there."And all shall sing, in their festive dance:"My home is within you."R. God is with us. Alleluia Mk 10:45 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Son of Man came to serveand to give his life as a ransom for many.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 9:51-56 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,and he sent messengers ahead of him.On the way they entered a Samaritan villageto prepare for his reception there,but they would not welcome himbecause the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heavento consume them?"Jesus turned and rebuked them,and they journeyed to another village. - - -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 Guardian AngelsReading 1 Zec 8:1-8 This word of the LORD of hosts came:Thus says the LORD of hosts:I am intensely jealous for Zion,stirred to jealous wrath for her.Thus says the LORD:I will return to Zion,and I will dwell within Jerusalem;Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city,and the mountain of the LORD of hosts,the holy mountain.Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women,each with staff in hand because of old age,shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem.The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.Thus says the LORD of hosts:Even if this should seem impossiblein the eyes of the remnant of this people,shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also,says the LORD of hosts?Thus says the LORD of hosts:Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun,and from the land of the setting sun.I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem.They shall be my people, and I will be their God,with faithfulness and justice. Responsorial Psalm Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23 R. (17) The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,and all the kings of the earth your glory,When the LORD has rebuilt Zionand appeared in his glory;When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,and not despised their prayer.R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.Let this be written for the generation to come,and let his future creatures praise the LORD:"The LORD looked down from his holy height,from heaven he beheld the earth,To hear the groaning of the prisoners,to release those doomed to die."R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.The children of your servants shall abide,and their posterity shall continue in your presence.That the name of the LORD may be declared in Zion;and his praise, in Jerusalem,When the peoples gather together,and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory. Alleluia Ps 103:21 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Bless the LORD, all you angels,you ministers, who do his will.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10 The disciples approached Jesus and said,"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.Whoever humbles himself like this childis the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."See that you do not despise one of these little ones,for I say to you that their angels in heavenalways look upon the face of my heavenly Father." - - -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.