FIRST
READING: Sirach
48: 1 - 4, 9 - 11
1
Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a
torch.
2
He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in
number.
3
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times
brought down fire.
4
How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has
the right to boast which you have?
9
You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with
horses of fire;
10
you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the
wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the
father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11
Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in
love; for we also shall surely live.
PSALM:
Psalms 80:
2 - 3, 15 - 16, 18 - 19
2
before E'phraim and Benjamin and Manas'seh! Stir up thy might, and
come to save us!
3
Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved!
15
the stock which thy right hand planted.
16
They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish
at the rebuke of thy countenance!
18
Then we will never turn back from thee; give us life, and we will
call on thy name!
19
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! let thy face shine, that we may be
saved!
GOSPEL:
Matthew 17:
9, 10 - 13
9
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,
"Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the
dead."
10
And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that
first Eli'jah must come?"
11
He replied, "Eli'jah does come, and he is to restore all things;
12
but I tell you that Eli'jah has already come, and they did not know
him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man
will suffer at their hands."
13
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John
the Baptist.
