FIRST
READING: 2
Corinthians 5: 14 - 21
14
For the charity of Christ presseth us: judging this, that if one died
for all, then all were dead.
15
And Christ died for all; that they also who live, may not now live to
themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.
16
Wherefore henceforth, we know no man according to the flesh. And if
we have known Christ according to the flesh; but now we know him so
no longer.
17
If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed
away, behold all things are made new.
18
But all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Christ; and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
19
For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not
imputing to them their sins; and he hath placed in us the word of
reconciliation.
20
For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by
us. For Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God.
21
Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us, that we might be made
the justice of God in him.
PSALM:
Psalms 103: 1
- 4, 9 - 12
1
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his
holy name.
2
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for
thee.
3
Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
4
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy
and compassion.
9
He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.
10
He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities.
11
For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath
strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
12
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our
iniquities from us.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 5:
33 - 37
33
Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not
forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.
34
But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is
the throne of God:
35
Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it
is the city of the great king:
36
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one
hair white or black.
37
But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and
above these, is of evil.
