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| "The Blind and Mute Man Possessed by Devils" -- by James Tissot |
Thursday
of the Third Week of Lent
FIRST
READING:
Jeremiah 7:
23-28
23
But this thing I commanded them, saying: Hearken to my voice, and I
will be your God, and you shall be my people: and walk ye in all the
way that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.
24
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear: but walked in their
own will, and in the perversity of their wicked heart: and went
backward and not forward,
25
From the day that their fathers came out of the land of Egypt, even
to this day. And I have sent to you all my servants the prophets from
day to day, rising up early and sending.
26
And they have not hearkened to me: nor inclined their ear: but have
hardened their neck, and have done worse than their fathers.
27
And thou shalt speak to them all these words, but they will not
hearken to thee: and thou shalt call them, but they will not answer
thee.
28
And thou shalt say to them: This is a nation which hath not hearkened
to the voice of the Lord their God, nor received instruction: Faith
is lost, and is carried away out of their mouth.
PSALM:
Psalms 95:
1-2, 6-9
1
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our
saviour.
2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful
noise to him with psalms.
6
Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made
us.
7
For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and
the sheep of his hand.
8
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
9
As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the
wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my
works.
VERSE
BEFORE THE GOSPEL:
Joel 2:
12-13
Now
therefore saith the Lord:
Be
converted to me with all your heart,
for
I am gracious and merciful.
GOSPEL:
Luke 11:
14-23
14
And he was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb: and when he
had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes were in
admiration at it:
15
But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince
of devils.
16
And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven.
17
But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided
against itself, shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house
shall fall.
18
And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom
stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils.
19
Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub; by whom do your children cast
them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
20
But if I by the finger of God cast out devils; doubtless the kingdom
of God is come upon you.
21
When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace
which he possesseth.
22
But if a stronger than he come upon him, and overcome him; he will
take away all his armour wherein he trusted, and will distribute his
spoils.
23
He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with
me, scattereth.
