FIRST
READING: 1
Thessalonians 3: 7- 13
7
Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity
and tribulation, by your faith,
8
Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
9
For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy
wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
10
Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and
may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?
11
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
12
And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards
one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
13
To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.
Amen.
PSALM:
Psalms 90:
3 – 5, 12 – 14, 17
3
Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be
converted, O ye sons of men.
4
For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.
And as a watch in the night,
5
Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.
12
Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned
in heart, in wisdom.
13
Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.
14
We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced,
and are delighted all our days.
17
And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct
thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do
thou direct.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 24: 42 – 51
42
Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will
come.
43
But know this ye, that if the goodman of the house knew at what hour
the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer
his house to be broken open.
44
Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the
Son of man will come.
45
Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord
hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season.
46
Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find
so doing.
47
Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.
48
But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a
coming:
49
And shall begin to strike his fellow servants, and shall eat and
drink with drunkards:
50
The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not, and
at an hour that he knoweth not:
51
And shall separate him, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites.
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
