FIRST READING
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 2:1-3. 14-17
Keep the traditions that we taught you.
Jesus rewardTo turn now, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. Never let anyone deceive you in this way. It cannot happen until the Great Revolt has taken place and the Rebel, the Lost One, has appeared.
Through the Good News that we brought he called you to this so that you should share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm, then, brothers, and keep the traditions that we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has given us his love and, through his grace, such inexhaustible comfort and such sure hope, comfort you and strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95
Response The Lord comes to rule the earth.
1. Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king:
The world he made firm in its place;
he will judge the peoples in fairness. Response
2. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,
let the sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all it bears rejoice,
all, the trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of the Lord for he comes,
he comes to rule the earth. Response
3. With justice he will rule the world,
he will judge the peoples with his truth. Response
Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord,
to accept the words of your Son.
Alleluia !
or Heb 4: 12
Alleluia, alleluia!
The word of God is something alive and active:
it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts.
Alleluia !
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 23:23-26
Alas for you who pay your tithe of mint and dill and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law.
leave everythingJesus said,
‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law – justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have practised, without neglecting the others. You blind guides! Straining out gnats and swallowing camels!
‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who clean the outside of cup and dish and leave the inside full of extortion and intemperance. Blind Pharisee! Clean the inside of cup and dish first so that the outside may become clean as well.
Prayer to make Spiritual Communion:
People who cannot communicate now make spiritual communion.At your feet, O my Jesus I bow down and offer you the repentance of my contrite heart, which abysses itself into its nothingness and Your holy presence. I adore you in the Sacrament of Your love, the ineffable Eucharist. I wish to receive you in the poor home that my heart offers you. In anticipation of the happiness of sacramental communion, I want to possess you in spirit. Come to me, oh my Jesus, that I may come to you. May Your love inflame my whole being, for life and death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. So be it. Amen
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