"Our Lord Jesus Christ" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Ezekiel
18: 25-28
25
And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye,
therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are
not rather your ways perverse?
26
For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and
committeth iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he
hath wrought he shall die.
27
And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which
he hath wrought, and doeth judgment, and justice: he shall save his
soul alive.
28
Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his
iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.
PSALM:
Psalms 25:
4-9
4
Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.
5
Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour;
and on thee have I waited all the day long.
6
Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; and thy mercies that are
from the beginning of the world.
7
The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember. According to
thy mercy remember thou me: for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8
The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to
sinners in the way.
9
He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.
SECOND
READING (First
Option):
Philippians 2:
1-11
1
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of
commiseration:
2
Fulfill ye my joy, that you may be of one mind, having the same
charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.
3
Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in
humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:
4
Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that
are other men's.
5
For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6
Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God:
7
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the
likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.
8
He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death
of the cross.
9
For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name
which is above all names:
10
That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in
heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
11
And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in
the glory of God the Father.
OR
SECOND
READING (Second
Option):
Philippians 2:
1-5
1
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of
commiseration:
2
Fulfill ye my joy, that you may be of one mind, having the same
charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.
3
Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in
humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:
4
Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that
are other men's.
5
For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 21: 28-32
28
But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the
first, he said: Son, go work today in my vineyard.
29
And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with
repentance, he went.
30
And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering,
said: I go, Sir; and he went not.
31
Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first.
Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the
harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.
32
For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe
him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing
it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.