FIRST READING: Joel 1: 13 - 15; 2: 1 - 2
13
Gird yourselves, and lament, O ye priests, howl, ye ministers of the
altars: go in, lie in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: because
sacrifice and libation is cut off from the house of your God.
14
Sanctify ye a fast, call an assembly; gather together the ancients,
all the inhabitants of the land into the house of your God: and cry
ye to the Lord:
15
Ah, ah, ah, for the day: because the day of the Lord is at hand, and
it shall come like destruction from the mighty.
1
Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let
all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord
cometh, because it is nigh at hand,
2
A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and whirlwinds:
a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the
mountains: the like to it hath not been from the beginning, nor shall
be after it even to the years of generation and generation.
2
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou
most high.
3
When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened and perish
before thy face.
6
The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: and their cities
thou hast destroyed. Their memory hath perished with a noise.
16
The Lord shall be known when he executeth judgments: the sinner hath
been caught in the works of his own hands.
8
And he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in
justice.
9
And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in
tribulation.
15
But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince
of devils.
16
And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven.
17
But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided
against itself, shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house
shall fall.
18
And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom
stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils.
19
Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub; by whom do your children cast
them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
20
But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom
of God is come upon you.
21
When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace
which he possesseth.
22
But if a stronger than he come upon him, and overcome him; he will
take away all his armour wherein he trusted, and will distribute his
spoils.
23
He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with
me, scattereth.
24
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through
places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will
return into my house whence I came out.
25
And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26
Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked
than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of
that man becomes worse than the first.
