FIRST
READING:
Hebrews 10:
32-39
32
But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you
endured a great fight of afflictions.
33
And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made
a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were
used in such sort.
34
For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with
joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a
better and a lasting substance.
35
Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.
36
For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you
may receive the promise.
37
For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come,
will come, and will not delay.
38
But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall
not please my soul.
39
But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of
faith to the saving of the soul.
PSALM:
Psalms 37:
3-6, 23-24, 39-40
3
Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt
be fed with its riches.
4
Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.
5
Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.
6
And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as
the noonday.
23
With the Lord shall the steps of a man be directed, and he shall like
well his way.
24
When he shall fall he shall not be bruised, for the Lord putteth his
hand under him.
39
But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their
protector in the time of trouble.
40
And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them
from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him.
ALLELUIA:
See Matthew
11: 25
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed
art thou, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
thou
hast revealed to little ones the mysteries of thy Kingdom.
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL:
Mark 4:
26-34
26
And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed
into the earth,
27
And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should
spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not.
28
For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then
the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.
29
And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the
sickle, because the harvest is come.
30
And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what
parable shall we compare it?
31
It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth,
is less than all the seeds that are in the earth:
32
And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all
herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air
may dwell under the shadow thereof.
33
And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as
they were able to hear.
34
And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he
explained all things to his disciples.
