Readings of the day

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Psalm: 97 (98):1,7-8,9

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away… Read more »

Readings of the day

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Psalm: 96 (97):1 & 2b,5-6,10,11-12

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

In those days, Jesus told his disciples this parable: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 

But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! … Read more »

Readings of the day

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Psalm: 89 (90):3-4,12-13,14 & 17

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

In those days, Jesus told his disciples: “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ‘
But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Read more »

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Readings of the day

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Psalm: 138 (139):7-8,9-10,11-12ab

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing… Read more »

Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, martyr
Readings of the day

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:7-19
Psalm: 70:1-6,15,17

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harboured a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so… Read more »

Readings of the day

First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8b-10
Psalm: 149:1-2,3-4,5-6a & 9b

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22

In those days, Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. 

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! … Read more »

Readings of the day

First Reading: Ruth 2:1-3,8-11; 4:13-17
Psalm: 127 (128):1-2,3,4,5

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

In those days, Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.  Read more »

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Readings of the day

First Reading: Ruth 1:1,3-6,14b-16,22
Psalm: 145 (146):5-6,7,8-9a,9bc-10

Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

In those days, when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 

He said to him, ” “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” 

Saint of the day: St Ludovico IX, king of France Read more »

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