31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 30, 2016

First Reading (Wisdom 11:22 – 12:2)
A reading from the book of Wisdom.
The entire world lies before you, just enough to tip the scales, a drop of morning dew falling on the ground. But because you are almighty, you are merciful to all; you overlook sins and give your children time to repent. You love everything that exists and hate nothing that you have created; had you hated anything, you would not have formed it. How could anything endure if you did not will it? And how could anything last that you had not willed? You have compassion on all because all is yours, O Lord, lover of life. In fact your immortal spirit is in all. And so by degrees you correct those who sin, you admonish them, reminding them how they have strayed so that turning away from evil, they may trust in you, Lord.

Second Reading (2 Thessalonians 1:11 – 2:2)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians.
Brothers and sisters: This is why we constantly pray for you; may our God make your worthy of his calling. May he, by his power, fulfill your good purposes and your work prompted by faith. In that way, the name of Jesus our Lord will be glorified through you, and you through him, according to the loving plan of God and of Christ Jesus the Lord. Brothers and sisters, let us speak about the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our gathering to meet him. Do not be easily unsettled. Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says or by any report, or by some letter said to be ours, saying the day of the Lord is at hand.

Gospel (Luke 19: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
When Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the city, a man named Zaccheus was there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man. He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was a short man and could not see because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus who had to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and stated to him, "Zaccheus, come down quickly for I must stay at your house today." So Zaccheus hurried down and received him joyfully. All of the people who saw it began to grumbled and stated, "He has gone to the house of a sinner as a guest." But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus, "The half of my goods, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much." Looking at him, Jesus stated, "Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 23, 2016

First Reading (Sirach 35: 12–14 and 16–18)
A reading from the book of Sirach.
The Lord is judge and shows no partiality. He will not disadvantage the poor, he who hears the prayer of the oppressed. He does not disdain the plea of the orphan, nor the complaint of the widow. The one who serves God wholeheartedly will be heard; his petition will reach the clouds. The prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds, and he is not consoled until he has been heard. His prayer will not cease until the Most High has looked down, until justice has been done in favor of the righteous.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 4: 6–8 and 16–18)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Beloved: As for me, the time of sacrifice has arrived, and the moment of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness with which the Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day; and not only me, but all those have longed for his glorious coming. At my first hearing in court no one supported me; all deserted me. May the Lord not hold it against them. But the Lord was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word fully, and let all the pagans hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will save me from all evil, bringing me to his heavenly kingdom. Glory to him forever and ever! Amen!

Gospel (Luke 18: 9–14)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus told another parable to some persons fully convinced of their own righteousness, who looked down on others, "Two men went up to the Temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and stated: 'I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give tenth of all my income to the Temple.' In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off, would not lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast stating: 'O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' I tell you, when this man went down to his house, he had been set right with God, but not the other. For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be raised."

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 16, 2016

First Reading (Exodus 17: 8–13)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
When the Israelites were at Rephidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. So Moses stated to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites in the morning. As for me, I will stand with God's staff in my hand at the top of the hill." Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had directed, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It happened that when Moses raised his hands, the Israelites would win but when he lowered them, the Amalekites would have the advantage. As Moses' arms grew weary they placed a stone for him to sit on while Aaron and Hur on either side held up his arms which remained steadily until sunset. For his part Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the sword.

Second Reading (2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Beloved: Continue with what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you, knowing from whom you received it. Besides, you have known the Scriptures from childhood; they will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, refuting error, for correcting and training in Christian life. Through Scripture the man of God is made expert and thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by the hope I have of his coming and his kingdom, I urge you to preach the Word, in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking or advising, always with patience and providing instruction.

Gospel (Luke 18: 1–8)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should pray continually and not lose heart. He stated, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor people. In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, stating, 'Defend my rights against my opponent.' For a time he refused, but finally he thought: 'Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out." And Jesus explained, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 9, 2016

First Reading (2 Kings 5: 14–17)
A reading from the second book of Kings.
Naaman went down to the Jordan where he washed himself seven times as Elisha had ordered. His skin became soft like that of a child and he was cleansed. Then Naaman returned to the man of God with all his men. He entered and stated to him, "Now I know that there is no other God anywhere in the world but in Israel. I ask you to accept these gifts from your servant." But Elisha replied, "I swear by the Lord whom I serve, I will accept nothing." And however much Naaman insisted, Elisha would not accept his gifts. So Naaman told him, "Since you refuse, let me acquire some sacks of soil from your land – the quantity that two mules can carry. I shall use it to build an altar to the Lord, for I shall not offer sacrifices to any other god but him."

Second Reading (2 Timothy 2: 8–13)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Beloved: Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, Jesus, son of David, as preached in my Gospel. For this Gospel I labor and even wear chains like an evildoer, but the word of God is not chained. And so I bear everything for the sake of the chosen people, that they, too, may obtain the salvation given to us in Christ Jesus and share eternal glory. This statement is true: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure with him, we shall reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.

Gospel (Luke 17: 11–19)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the border between Samaria and Galilee, and as he entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him. Keeping their distance, they called to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Then Jesus stated to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Now, as they went their way, they found they were cured. One of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan. Then Jesus stated, "Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this alien?" And Jesus stated to him, "Stand up and go your separate way, for your faith has saved you."

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: October 2, 2016

First Reading (Habakkuk 1: 2–3 and 2: 2–4)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Habakkuk.
Lord, how long will I cry for help while you pay no attention to me? I denounce the oppression and you do not save. Why do you make me see injustice? Then the Lord replied to me and stated, "Write down the vision, inscribe it on tables so it can be easily read, since this is a vision for an appointed time; it will not fail but will be fulfilled in due time. If it delays, wait for it, for it will come and will not be deferred. Look: I do not look with favor on the one who gives away; the upright, on the other hand, will live by his faithfulness."

Second Reading (2 Timothy 1: 6–8 and 13–14)
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Beloved: I invite you to fan into a flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands. For God did not confer on us a spirit of bashfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment. Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord, nor of seeing me in chains. On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the Gospel with the strength of God. Follow the pattern of the sound doctrine which you have heard from me, concerning faith and love in Christ Jesus. Keep this precious deposit with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Gospel (Luke 17: 5–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
The apostles stated to the Lord, "Increase our faith." And the Lord replied, "If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree: 'Be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea,' and it will obey you. Who among you would say to your servant coming from the fields after plowing or tending sheep: 'Come at once and sit down at the table.'? No, you tell him: 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink afterwards.' Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded? So for you. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say: 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty."