Reading 1 Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b In the third month after their departure from the land of Egypt,on its first day, the children of Israel came to the desert of Sinai.After the journey from Rephidim to the desert of Sinai,they pitched camp.While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain,the LORD told Moses,"I am coming to you in a dense cloud,so that when the people hear me speaking with you,they may always have faith in you also."When Moses, then, had reported to the LORD the response of the people,the LORD added, "Go to the peopleand have them sanctify themselves today and tomorrow.Make them wash their garments and be ready for the third day;for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinaibefore the eyes of all the people."On the morning of the third daythere were peals of thunder and lightning,and a heavy cloud over the mountain,and a very loud trumpet blast,so that all the people in the camp trembled.But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God,and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke,for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace,and the whole mountain trembled violently.The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speakingand God answering him with thunder.When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai,he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain. Responsorial Psalm Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;And blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."R. Glory and praise for ever!"Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever."R. Glory and praise for ever!"Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."R. Glory and praise for ever!"Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."R. Glory and praise for ever!"Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,praiseworthy and glorious forever."R. Glory and praise for ever! Alleluia See 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 13:10-17 The disciples approached Jesus and said,"Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?"He said to them in reply,"Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heavenhas been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:You shall indeed hear but not understand,you shall indeed look but never see.Gross is the heart of this people,they will hardly hear with their ears,they have closed their eyes,lest they see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their hearts and be convertedand I heal them."But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear.Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." - - -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 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.