FIRST
READING: 1
Kings 18:41-46
41 And Elias said to Ahab: Go up, eat, and drink: for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 Ahab went up to eat and drink: and Elias went up to the top of Carmel, and casting himself down upon the earth put his face between his knees,
43 And he said to his servant: Go up, and look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said: There is nothing. And again he said to him: Return seven times.
44 And at the seventh time, behold, a little cloud arose out of the sea like a man's foot. And he said: Go up and say to Ahab: Prepare thy chariot and go down, lest the rain prevent thee.
45 And while he turned himself this way and that way, behold the heavens grew dark, with clouds, and wind, and there fell a great rain. And Ahab getting up went away to Jezrahel:
46 And the hand of the Lord was upon Elias, and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab, till he came to Jezrahel.
PSALM:
Psalms 65:10-13
10 Thou hast visited the earth, and hast plentifully watered it; thou hast many ways enriched it. The river of God is filled with water, thou hast prepared their food: for so is its preparation.
11 Fill up plentifully the streams thereof, multiply its fruits; it shall spring up and rejoice in its showers.
12 Thou shalt bless the crown of the year of thy goodness: and thy fields shall be filled with plenty.
13 The beautiful places of the wilderness shall grow fat: and the hills shall be girded about with joy.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 5:20-26
20 For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.
22 But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee;
24 Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.
25 Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
