FIRST
READING: Ezekiel
36: 23 - 28
23
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the
Gentiles, which you have profaned in the midst of them: that the
Gentiles may know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord of hosts, when I
shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
24
For I will take you from among the Gentiles, and will gather you
together out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own
land.
25
And I will pour upon you clean water, and you shall be cleansed from
all your filthiness, and I will cleanse you from all your idols.
26
And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and
I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you
a heart of flesh.
27
And I will put my spirit in the midst of you: and I will cause you to
walk in my commandments, and to keep my judgments, and do them.
28
And you shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers, and you
shall be my people, and I will be your God.
PSALM:
Psalms 51:
12 - 15, 18 - 19
12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a
perfect spirit.
13
I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted
to thee.
14
Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue
shall extol thy justice.
15
O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy
praise.
18
Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls
of Jerusalem may be built up.
19
Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole
burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 22:
1 - 14
1
And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:
2
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who made a marriage for
his son.
3
And he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the
marriage: and they would not come.
4
Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and fatlings are killed,
and all things are ready. Come ye to the marriage.
5
But they neglected and went their ways, one to his farm and another
to his merchandise.
6
And the rest laid hands on his servants and, having treated them
contumeliously, put them to death.
7
But when the king had heard of it, he was angry: and sending his
armies, he destroyed those murderers and burnt their city.
8
Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they
that were invited were not worthy.
9
Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find,
call to the marriage.
10
And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all
that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with
guests.
11
And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who
had not on a wedding garment.
12
And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on
a wedding garment? But he was silent.
13
Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast
him into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.
14
For many are called, but few are chosen.
