FIRST
READING: 2
Kings 11: 1 - 4, 9
- 18, 20
1
When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son had died, she
was determined to wipe out all the descendants of the king.
2
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took
Joash, her nephew, and brought him away from among the king's sons
who were about to be killed, and put him with his wet nurse in the
bedroom. Thus she hid him from Athaliah, so that the boy was saved.
3
And Joash remained hidden in the House of Yahweh for six years while
Athaliah reigned over the land.
4
In the seventh year, Jehoiada the chief priest, summoned the officers
of the royal guard and of the Carites to the House of Yahweh. After
concluding a pact with them under oath, he showed them the king's
son.
9
The commanders of the guards did what Jehoiada the priest had told
them to do and they showed up with all their men, those who were to
go off duty on the sabbath as well as those who were to come on duty
on that day.
10
Jehoiada entrusted to the officers the spears and shields of King
David which were in the House of Yahweh.
11
And then the guards stood from the southern corner of the house to
the north, surrounding the altar and the House of Yahweh.
12
Then Jehoiada, the priest, brought out the king's son, crowned him
and put the bracelets on him, then proclaimed and consecrated him
king. All clapped their hands, shouting and crying out, "Long
live the king!"
13
When Athaliah heard the noise of the people, she approached the crowd
surrounding the House of Yahweh.
14
The king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the
officers and the trumpeters were with him. The people were filled
with joy and they were blowing trumpets. On seeing this, Athaliah
tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason, treason!"
15
Jehoiada the priest commanded the officers, "Surround her and
bring her out to the courtyard, and kill anyone who tries to defend
her." He gave this order, because he thought, "She should
not die in the House of Yahweh."
16
They brought her out, and when they reached the palace of the king by
the horses' entrance, there they killed her.
17
Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people
so they would be the people of Yahweh.
18
All the citizens went to the temple of Baal and destroyed it. They
broke the altars and the images into pieces, and killed Mattan, the
priest of Baal, before his altar. Then Jehoiada, the priest, posted
guards over the House of Yahweh.
20
All the citizens were happy and the city was at peace. Now regarding
Athaliah, she had died by the sword in the king's palace.
PSALM:
Psalms 132:
11 - 14, 17 - 18
11
The Lord swore to David a promise, and he will remain true to it: "I
will keep your descendance on your throne.
12
If your sons keep my covenant and the decrees I have taught them,
their sons, too, will sit forever upon your throne."
13
For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling:
14
"This is my resting place forever; this I prefer, here will I
dwell.
17
From here a savior shall come forth, a son of David; here shall shine
forever the lamp of my anointed.
18
In shame will I clothe his enemies, but upon his head a crown shall
shine."
GOSPEL:
Matthew 6:
19 - 23
19
Do not store up treasure for yourself here on earth where moth and
rust destroy it, and where thieves can steal it.
20
Store up treasure for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can
destroy nor thief come and steal it.
21
For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
22
The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are sound, your whole
body will be in the light.
23
If your eyes are diseased your whole body will be in darkness. Then,
if your light has become darkness, how dark will be the darkest part
of you!
