Mass Readings for Wednesday January 31, 2007

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest

Reading 1

Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

Brothers and sisters:In your struggle against sinyou have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lordor lose heart when reproved by him;for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;he scourges every son he acknowledges.Endure your trials as "discipline";God treats you as his sons.For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousnessto those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.Make straight paths for your feet,that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

Strive for peace with everyone,and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,through which many may become defiled.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a

R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,

For he knows how we are formed;

he remembers that we are dust.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity

to eternity toward those who fear him,

And his justice toward children’s children

among those who keep his covenant.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

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Gospel

Mk 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?"And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them,"A prophet is not without honor except in his native placeand among his own kin and in his own house."So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Mass Readings for Tuesday January 30, 2007

Reading 1

Heb 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to usand persevere in running the race that lies before uswhile keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,the leader and perfecter of faith.For the sake of the joy that lay before himJesus endured the cross, despising its shame,and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.In your struggle against sinyou have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 22:26b-27, 28, and 30, 31-32

R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.

The lowly shall eat their fill;

they who seek the LORD shall praise him:

“May your hearts be ever merry!”

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

All the ends of the earth

shall remember and turn to the LORD;

All the families of the nations

shall bow down before him.

To him alone shall bow down

all who sleep in the earth;

Before him shall bend

all who go down into the dust.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

And to him my soul shall live;

my descendants shall serve him.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD

that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born

the justice he has shown.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

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Gospel

Mk 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,"My daughter is at the point of death.Please, come lay your hands on herthat she may get well and live."He went off with himand a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctorsand had spent all that she had.Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowdand touched his cloak.She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."Immediately her flow of blood dried up.She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"But his disciples said to him,"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,and yet you ask, Who touched me?"And he looked around to see who had done it.The woman, realizing what had happened to her,approached in fear and trembling.She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"Disregarding the message that was reported,Jesus said to the synagogue official,"Do not be afraid; just have faith."He did not allow anyone to accompany him insideexcept Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion,people weeping and wailing loudly.So he went in and said to them,"Why this commotion and weeping?The child is not dead but asleep."And they ridiculed him.Then he put them all out.He took along the child’s father and motherand those who were with himand entered the room where the child was.He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.At that they were utterly astounded.He gave strict orders that no one should know thisand said that she should be given something to eat.

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Mass Readings for Monday January 29, 2007

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 11:32-40

Brothers and sisters:What more shall I say?I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,of David and Samuel and the prophets,who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises;they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires,escaped the devouring sword;out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle,and turned back foreign invaders.Women received back their dead through resurrection.Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance,in order to obtain a better resurrection.Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment.They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword(s point;they went about in skins of sheep or goats,needy, afflicted, tormented.The world was not worthy of them.They wandered about in deserts and on mountains,in caves and in crevices in the earth.

Yet all these, though approved because of their faith,did not receive what had been promised.God had foreseen something better for us,so that without us they should not be made perfect.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24

R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O LORD,

which you have in store for those who fear you,

And which, toward those who take refuge in you,

you show in the sight of the children of men.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence

from the plottings of men;

You screen them within your abode

from the strife of tongues.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy

he has shown me in a fortified city.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Once I said in my anguish,

“I am cut off from your sight”;

Yet you heard the sound of my pleading

when I cried out to you.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!

The LORD keeps those who are constant,

but more than requites those who act proudly.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

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Gospel

Mk 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,to the territory of the Gerasenes.When he got out of the boat,at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.The man had been dwelling among the tombs,and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains,but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,and no one was strong enough to subdue him.Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsideshe was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,he ran up and prostrated himself before him,crying out in a loud voice,"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?I adjure you by God, do not torment me!"(He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!")He asked him, "What is your name?"

He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us."And he pleaded earnestly with himnot to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.And they pleaded with him,"Send us into the swine. Let us enter them."And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,where they were drowned.The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the townand throughout the countryside.And people came out to see what had happened.As they approached Jesus,they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion,sitting there clothed and in his right mind.And they were seized with fear.Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happenedto the possessed man and to the swine.Then they began to beg him to leave their district.As he was getting into the boat,the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,"Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapoliswhat Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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Mass Readings for Sunday January 28, 2007

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Jer 1:4-5, 17-19

The word of the LORD came to me, saying:Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I dedicated you,a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

But do you gird your loins;stand up and tell themall that I command you.Be not crushed on their account,as though I would leave you crushed before them;for it is I this daywho have made you a fortified city,a pillar of iron, a wall of brass,against the whole land:against Judah’s kings and princes,against its priests and people.They will fight against you but not prevail over you,for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17

R. (cf. 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;

incline your ear to me, and save me.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

Be my rock of refuge,

a stronghold to give me safety,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

For you are my hope, O Lord;

my trust, O God, from my youth.

On you I depend from birth;

from my mother’s womb you are my strength.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

My mouth shall declare your justice,

day by day your salvation.

O God, you have taught me from my youth,

and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

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Reading II

1 Cor 12:31-13:13

Brothers and sisters:Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,but do not have love,I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.And if I have the gift of prophecy,and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;if I have all faith so as to move mountains,but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give away everything I own,and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.It is not jealous, it is not pompous,It is not inflated, it is not rude,it does not seek its own interests,it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,it does not rejoice over wrongdoingbut rejoices with the truth.It bears all things, believes all things,hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;if tongues, they will cease;if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.For we know partially and we prophesy partially,but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,think as a child, reason as a child;when I became a man, I put aside childish things.At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,but then face to face.At present I know partially;then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.So faith, hope, love remain, these three;but the greatest of these is love.

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Gospel

Lk 4:21-30

Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying:"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."And all spoke highly of himand were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, "Isn’t this the son of Joseph?"He said to them, "Surely you will quote me this proverb,‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say,‘Do here in your native placethe things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’"And he said, "Amen, I say to you,no prophet is accepted in his own native place.Indeed, I tell you,there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijahwhen the sky was closed for three and a half yearsand a severe famine spread over the entire land.It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.Again, there were many lepers in Israelduring the time of Elisha the prophet;yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."When the people in the synagogue heard this,they were all filled with fury.They rose up, drove him out of the town,and led him to the brow of the hillon which their town had been built,to hurl him down headlong.But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.

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Mass Readings For Thursday January 25, 2007

The Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle (Feast)

FIRST READING : Acts 22: 3 - 16 or 9: 1 - 22

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3 "I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili'cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama'li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day.

4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,

5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 "As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.

7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, `Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'

8 And I answered, `Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, `I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.'

9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

10 And I said, `What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, `Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'

11 And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 "And one Anani'as, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, `Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him.

14 And he said, `The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth;

15 for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'

--OR--

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.

4 And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;

6 but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."

11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying,

12 and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."

13 But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;

14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name."

15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

17 So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized,

19 and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

20 And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God."

21 And all who heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called on this name? And he has come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests."

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

PSALM : Psalms 117: 1 - 2

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1 Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!

2 For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD!

GOSPEL : Mark 16: 15 - 18

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15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Mass Readings For Wednesday January 24, 2007

St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

FIRST READING : Hebrews 10: 11 - 18

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11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

13 then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds, "

17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more."

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

PSALM : Psalms 110: 1 - 4

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1 The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool."

2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes!

3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you.

4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchiz'edek."

GOSPEL : Mark 4: 1 - 20

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1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

2 And he taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow.

4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil;

6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away.

7 Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.

8 And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

9 And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

10 And when he was alone, those who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables.

11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables;

12 so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven."

13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?

14 The sower sows the word.

15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which is sown in them.

16 And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy;

17 and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 1

8 And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word,

19 but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

20 But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

Mass Readings For Tuesday January 23, 2007

FIRST READING: Hebrews 10: 1 - 10

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1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near.

2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin.

3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year.

4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me;

6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.

7 Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God, 'as it is written of me in the roll of the book."

8 When he said above, "Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law),

9 then he added, "Lo, I have come to do thy will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.

10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

PSALM: Psalms 40: 2, 4, 7 - 8, 10 - 11

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2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods!

7 Then I said, "Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me;

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart."

10 I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation.

11 Do not thou, O LORD, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me!

GOSPEL: Mark 3: 31 - 35

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31 And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him.

32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you."

33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!

35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Mass Readings For Monday January 22, 2007

Anniversary of Roe versus Wade

FIRST READING: Hebrews 9: 15, 24 - 28

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15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

24 For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own;

26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment,

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

PSALM: Psalms 98: 1 - 6

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1 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

GOSPEL: Mark 3: 22 - 30

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22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Be-el'zebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons."

23 And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?

24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.

27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house.

28 "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter;

29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" --

30 for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Mass Readings for Sunday January 21, 2007

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,which consisted of men, women,and those children old enough to understand.Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,in the presence of the men, the women,and those children old enough to understand;and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion.He opened the scrollso that all the people might see it-. for he was standing higher up than any of the people -.;and, as he opened it, all the people rose.Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, "Amen, amen!"Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,their faces to the ground.Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribeand the Levites who were instructing the peoplesaid to all the people:"Today is holy to the LORD your God.Do not be sad, and do not weep"—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;for today is holy to our LORD.Do not be saddened this day,for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R. (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart

find favor before you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

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Reading II

1 Cor 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters:As a body is one though it has many parts,and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,so also Christ.For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.If a foot should say,"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,"it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.Or if an ear should say,"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?But as it is, God placed the parts,each one of them, in the body as he intended.If they were all one part, where would the body be?But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you,"nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weakerare all the more necessary,and those parts of the body that we consider less honorablewe surround with greater honor,and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.But God has so constructed the bodyas to give greater honor to a part that is without it,so that there may be no division in the body,but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.Some people God has designated in the churchto be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;then, mighty deeds;then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,and varieties of tongues.Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

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Gospel

Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the eventsthat have been fulfilled among us,just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginningand ministers of the word have handed them down to us,I too have decided,after investigating everything accurately anew,to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachingsyou have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,and news of him spread throughout the whole region.He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day.He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captivesand recovery of sight to the blind,to let the oppressed go free,and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.He said to them,"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

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Mass Readings for Saturday January 20, 2007

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 9:2-3, 11-14

A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place.Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God:

sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations,

God sits upon his holy throne.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

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Gospel

Mk 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.Again the crowd gathered,making it impossible for them even to eat.When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

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Mass Readings for Friday January 19, 2007

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 8:6-13

Brothers and sisters:Now our high priest has obtained so much more excellent a ministryas he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second one.But he finds fault with them and says:Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathersthe day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;for they did not stand by my covenantand I ignored them, says the Lord.But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israelafter those days, says the Lord:I will put my laws in their mindsand I will write them upon their hearts.I will be their God,and they shall be my people.And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kin, saying,"Know the Lord,"for all shall know me, from least to greatest.For I will forgive their evildoingand remember their sins no more.

When he speaks of a "new" covenant, he declares the first one obsolete.And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (11a) Kindness and truth shall meet.

Show us, O LORD, your mercy,

and grant us your salvation.

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,

glory dwelling in our land.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.

Justice shall walk before him,

and salvation, along the way of his steps.

R. Kindness and truth shall meet.

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Gospel

Mk 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,that they might be with himand he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:He appointed the Twelve:Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder;Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

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Mass Readings for Thursday January 18, 2007

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 7:25-8:6

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day,first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself.For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.

The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throneof the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary,as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle.For God says, "See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,

but ears open to obedience you gave me.

Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;

then said I, “Behold I come.”

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,

To do your will, O my God, is my delight,

and your law is within my heart!”

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;

I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

May all who seek you

exult and be glad in you,

And may those who love your salvation

say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

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Gospel

Mk 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him.He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseaseswere pressing upon him to touch him.And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God."He warned them sternly not to make him known.

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Mass Readings for Monday January 15, 2007

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 5:1-10

Brothers and sisters:Every high priest is taken from among menand made their representative before God,to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,for he himself is beset by weaknessand so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himselfas well as for the people.No one takes this honor upon himselfbut only when called by God,just as Aaron was.In the same way,it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,but rather the one who said to him:You are my Son:this day I have begotten you;just as he says in another place,You are a priest foreveraccording to the order of Melchizedek.In the days when he was in the Flesh,he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tearsto the one who was able to save him from death,and he was heard because of his reverence.Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;and when he was made perfect,he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:

“Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:

“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

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Gospel

Mk 2:18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast.People came to Jesus and objected,"Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"Jesus answered them,"Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,and then they will fast on that day.No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak.If he does, its fullness pulls away,the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,and both the wine and the skins are ruined.Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."

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Mass Readings for Sunday January 14, 2007

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Is 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,until her vindication shines forth like the dawnand her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,and all the kings your glory;you shall be called by a new namepronounced by the mouth of the LORD.You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,a royal diadem held by your God.No more shall people call you "Forsaken, "or your land "Desolate, "but you shall be called "My Delight,"and your land "Espoused."For the LORD delights in youand makes your land his spouse.As a young man marries a virgin,your Builder shall marry you;and as a bridegroom rejoices in his brideso shall your God rejoice in you.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

R. (3) Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

give to the LORD glory and praise;

give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Worship the LORD in holy attire.

Tremble before him, all the earth;

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He governs the peoples with equity.

R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

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Reading II

1 Cor 12:4-11

Brothers and sisters:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;

there are different forms of service but the same Lord;

there are different workings but the same God

who produces all of them in everyone.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit

is given for some benefit.

To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;

to another, the expression of knowledge according to the

same Spirit;

to another, faith by the same Spirit;

to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;

to another, mighty deeds;

to another, prophecy;

to another, discernment of spirits;

to another, varieties of tongues;

to another, interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,

distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

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Gospel

Jn 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,and the mother of Jesus was there.Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.When the wine ran short,the mother of Jesus said to him,"They have no wine."And Jesus said to her,"Woman, how does your concern affect me?My hour has not yet come."His mother said to the servers,"Do whatever he tells you."Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,each holding twenty to thirty gallons.Jesus told them,"Fill the jars with water."So they filled them to the brim.Then he told them,"Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter."So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,without knowing where it came from-. although the servers who had drawn the water knew -.,the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,"Everyone serves good wine first,and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;but you have kept the good wine until now."Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galileeand so revealed his glory,and his disciples began to believe in him.

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Mass Readings for Saturday January 13, 2007

Reading 1

Heb 4:12-16

The word of God is living and effective,sharper than any two-edged sword,penetrating even between soul and spirit,joints and marrow,and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.No creature is concealed from him,but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of himto whom we must render an account.

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,let us hold fast to our confession.For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,but one who has similarly been tested in every way,yet without sin.So let us confidently approach the throne of graceto receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R. (see John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eye.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

all of them just.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart

find favor before you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

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Gospel

Mk 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea.All the crowd came to him and he taught them.As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,sitting at the customs post.Jesus said to him, "Follow me."And he got up and followed Jesus.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;for there were many who followed him.Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinnersand tax collectors and said to his disciples,"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"Jesus heard this and said to them,"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

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Mass Readings for January 12, 2007

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 4:1-5, 11

Let us be on our guardwhile the promise of entering into his rest remains,that none of you seem to have failed.For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.But the word that they heard did not profit them,for they were not united in faith with those who listened.For we who believed enter into that rest,just as he has said:

As I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest,"

and yet his works were accomplishedat the foundation of the world.For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;and again, in the previously mentioned place,They shall not enter into my rest.

Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8

R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!

What we have heard and know,

and what our fathers have declared to us,

we will declare to the generation to come

The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.

R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

That they too may rise and declare to their sons

that they should put their hope in God,

And not forget the deeds of God

but keep his commands.

R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

And not be like their fathers,

a generation wayward and rebellious,

A generation that kept not its heart steadfast

nor its spirit faithful toward God.

R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

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Gospel

Mk 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,it became known that he was at home.Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,not even around the door,and he preached the word to them.They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,they opened up the roof above him.After they had broken through,they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,"Child, your sins are forgiven."Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.Who but God alone can forgive sins?"Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,‘Your sins are forgiven,’or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?But that you may knowthat the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"--he said to the paralytic,"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.They were all astoundedand glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

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Mass Readings for Thursday January 11, 2007

Reading 1

Heb 3:7-14

The Holy Spirit says:Oh, that today you would hear his voice,"Harden not your hearts as at the rebellionin the day of testing in the desert,where your ancestors tested and tried meand saw my works for forty years.Because of this I was provoked with that generationand I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart,and they do not know my ways.’As I swore in my wrath,‘They shall not enter into my rest.’"Take care, brothers and sisters,that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart,so as to forsake the living God.Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today,"so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.We have become partners of Christif only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 95:6-7c, 8-9, 10-11

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

they tested me though they had seen my works.”

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Forty years I was wearied of that generation;

I said: “This people’s heart goes astray,

they do not know my ways.”

Therefore I swore in my anger:

“They shall never enter my rest.”

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

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Gospel

Mk 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,"If you wish, you can make me clean."Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,touched the leper, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean."The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything,but go, show yourself to the priestand offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;that will be proof for them."The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.He spread the report abroadso that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.He remained outside in deserted places,and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Mass Readings for Wednesday January 10, 2007

Wednesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh,Jesus likewise shared in them,that through death he might destroy the onewho has the power of death, that is, the Devil,and free those who through fear of deathhad been subject to slavery all their life.Surely he did not help angelsbut rather the descendants of Abraham;therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before Godto expiate the sins of the people.Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,he is able to help those who are being tested.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

seek to serve him constantly.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant

which he made binding for a thousand generations

Which he entered into with Abraham

and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R. Alleluia.

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Gospel

Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogueJesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.They immediately told him about her.He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.The whole town was gathered at the door.He cured many who were sick with various diseases,and he drove out many demons,not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.Simon and those who were with him pursued himand on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villagesthat I may preach there also.For this purpose have I come."So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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