FIRST
READING: 2
Corinthians 8: 1-9
1
Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath
been given in the churches of Macedonia.
2
That in much experience of tribulation, they have had abundance of
joy; and their very deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of
their simplicity.
3
For according to their power (I bear them witness), and beyond their
power, they were willing.
4
With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the
ministry that is done toward the saints.
5
And not as we hoped, but they gave their own selves first to the
Lord, then to us by the will of God:
6
Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he
would finish among you this same grace.
7
That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge,
and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in
this grace also you may abound.
8
I speak not as commanding; but by the carefulness of others,
approving also the good disposition of your charity.
9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he
became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be
rich.
PSALM:
Psalms 146: 2,
5-9
2
Praise the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord: I will
sing to my God as long as I shall be. Put not your trust in princes:
5
Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is
in the Lord his God:
6
Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.
7
Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that
suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them
that are fettered:
8
The Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are
cast down: the Lord loveth the just.
9
The Lord keepeth the strangers, he will support the fatherless and
the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 5: 43-48
43
You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour,
and hate thy enemy.
44
But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you:
and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:
45
That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who
maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the
just and the unjust.
46
For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do
not even the publicans this?
47
And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also
the heathens this?
48
Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.
