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| "The First Shall Be Last" -- by James Tissot (1886-1896) [Click image for full size view] |
FIRST READING: Zechariah 8: 1 - 8
1
And the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying:
2
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I have been jealous for Sion with a
great jealousy, and with a great indignation have I been jealous for
her.
3
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I am returned to Sion, and I will dwell
in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called The city of
truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, The sanctified
mountain.
4
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall yet old men and old women
dwell in the streets of Jerusalem: and every man with his staff in
his hand through multitude of days.
5
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls, playing
in the streets thereof.
6
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If it seem hard in the eyes of the
remnant of this people in those days: shall it be hard in my eyes,
saith the Lord of hosts?
7
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold I will save my people from the
land of the east, and from the land of the going down of the sun.
8
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of
Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in
truth and in justice.
16
For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.
17
He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not
despised their petition.
18
Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people
that shall be created shall praise the Lord:
19
Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the
Lord hath looked upon the earth.
20
That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he
might release the children of the slain:
21
That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in
Jerusalem;
29
The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be
directed for ever.
22
When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord.
23
He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the
fewness of my days.
46
And there entered a thought into them, which of them should be
greater.
47
But Jesus seeing the thoughts of their heart, took a child and set
him by him,
48
And said to them: Whosoever shall receive this child in my name,
receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent
me. For he that is the lesser among you all, he is the greater.
49
And John, answering, said: Master, we saw a certain man casting out
devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not with
us.
50
And Jesus said to him: Forbid him not; for he that is not against
you, is for you.
