FIRST
READING: Deuteronomy
4: 1 - 2, 6 - 8
1
And now, O Israel, hear the commandments and judgments which I teach
thee: that doing them, thou mayst live, and entering in mayst possess
the land which the Lord the God of your fathers will give you.
2
You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you
take away from it: keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I
command you.
6
And you shall observe, and fulfil them in practice. For this is your
wisdom, and understanding in the sight of nations, that hearing all
these precepts, they may say: Behold a wise and understanding people,
a great nation.
7
Neither is there any other nation so great, that hath gods so nigh
them, as our God is present to all our petitions.
8
For what other nation is there so renowned that hath ceremonies, and
just judgments, and all the law, which I will set forth this day
before our eyes?
PSALM:
Psalms 15:
2 - 5
2
He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:
3
He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his
tongue: Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach
against his neighbours.
4
In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth
them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his neighbour, and
deceiveth not;
5
He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against
the innocent: He that doth these things, shall not be moved for ever.
SECOND
READING: James 1:
17 - 18, 21 - 22, 27
17
Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down
from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of
alteration.
18
For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we
might be some beginning of his creature.
21
Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness,
with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your
souls.
22
But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves.
27
Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to
visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to keep
one’s self unspotted from this world.
GOSPEL:
Mark 7:
1 - 8, 14 - 15, 21 - 23
1
And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the
scribes, coming from Jerusalem.
2
And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common,
that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.
3
For the Pharisees and all the Jews eat not without often washing
their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients.
4
And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat
not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them
to observe, the washings of cups and of pots and of brazen vessels
and of beds.
5
And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples
walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread
with common hands?
6
But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you
hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their
lips, but their heart is far from me.
7
And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of
men.
8
For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men,
the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to
these.
14
And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me
all and understand.
15
There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile
him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile
a man.
21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders,
22
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil
eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23
All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
