Mass Readings Tuesday April 3, 2007

Tuesday of Holy Week

Reading 1

Is 49:1-6

Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;

incline your ear to me, and save me.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

Be my rock of refuge,

a stronghold to give me safety,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

For you are my hope, O Lord;my trust,

O God, from my youth.

On you I depend from birth;

from my mother’s womb you are my strength.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

My mouth shall declare your justice,

day by day your salvation.

O God, you have taught me from my youth,

and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

Gospel

Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas ,son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him,“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,though you will follow later.” Peter said to him,“Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

Mass Readings Palm Sunday April 1, 2007

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

At the Procession with Palms

Reading 1

Lk 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples.He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.Untie it and bring it here.And if anyone should ask you,‘Why are you untying it?’ you will answer,‘The Master has need of it.’"So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them.And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?"They answered,"The Master has need of it."So they brought it to Jesus,threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount.As he rode along,the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciplesbegan to praise God aloud with joyfor all the mighty deeds they had seen.They proclaimed:"Blessed is the king who comesin the name of the Lord.Peace in heavenand glory in the highest."Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,"Teacher, rebuke your disciples."He said in reply,"I tell you, if they keep silent,the stones will cry out!"

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At the Mass

Is 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given mea well-trained tongue,that I might know how to speak to the wearya word that will rouse them.Morning after morninghe opens my ear that I may hear;and I have not rebelled,have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me,my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;my face I did not shieldfrom buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face like flint,knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 22:8-24

R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

All who see me scoff at me;

they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:

“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,

let him rescue him, if he loves him.”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Indeed, many dogs surround me,

a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;

They have pierced my hands and my feet;

I can count all my bones.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

They divide my garments among them,

and for my vesture they cast lots.

But you, O LORD, be not far from me;

O my help, hasten to aid me.

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

I will proclaim your name to my brethren;

in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:

“You who fear the LORD, praise him;

all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;

revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

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Reading II

Phil 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godsomething to be grasped.Rather, he emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,coming in human likeness;and found human in appearance,he humbled himself,becoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the namewhich is above every name,that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

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Gospel

Lk 22:14--23:56

When the hour came,Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God."Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."Then he took the bread, said the blessing,broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me."And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood,which will be shed for you.

"And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray meis with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined;but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed."And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among themabout which of them should be regarded as the greatest.He said to them,"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so.Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves?Is it not the one seated at table?I am among you as the one who serves.It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thronesjudging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demandedto sift all of you like wheat,but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back,you must strengthen your brothers."He said to him,"Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you."But he replied,"I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day,you will deny three times that you know me."

He said to them,"When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals,were you in need of anything?""No, nothing, " they replied.He said to them,"But now one who has a money bag should take it,and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a swordshould sell his cloak and buy one.For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me,namely, He was counted among the wicked;and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment."Then they said,"Lord, look, there are two swords here."But he replied, "It is enough!"

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives,and the disciples followed him.When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test."After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling,he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done."And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of bloodfalling on the ground.When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.He said to them, "Why are you sleeping?

Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test."

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas.He went up to Jesus to kiss him.Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with a sword?"And one of them struck the high priest’s servantand cut off his right ear.But Jesus said in reply,"Stop, no more of this!"Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?Day after day I was with you in the temple area,and you did not seize me;but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness."

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance.They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it,and Peter sat down with them.When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said,"This man too was with him."But he denied it saying,"Woman, I do not know him."A short while later someone else saw him and said, "You too are one of them"; but Peter answered, "My friend, I am not."About an hour later, still another insisted, "Assuredly, this man too was with him,for he also is a Galilean."But Peter said,"My friend, I do not know what you are talking about."Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed,and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord,how he had said to him,"Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times."He went out and began to weep bitterly.The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him.They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?"

And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.They said, "If you are the Christ, tell us, " but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond.But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"He replied to them, "You say that I am."Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony?We have heard it from his own mouth."

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate.They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king."Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"He said to him in reply, "You say so."Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty."But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea,from Galilee where he began even to here."

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction,he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time,for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.He questioned him at length,but he gave him no answer.The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile,stood by accusing him harshly.Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him,and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to meand accused him of inciting the people to revolt.

I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us.So no capital crime has been committed by him.Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him."

But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man!Release Barabbas to us."— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. —Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,but they continued their shouting,"Crucify him! Crucify him!"Pilate addressed them a third time,"What evil has this man done?I found him guilty of no capital crime.Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him."With loud shouts, however,they persisted in calling for his crucifixion,and their voices prevailed.The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted.So he released the man who had been imprisonedfor rebellion and murder, for whom they asked,and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him awaythey took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him.Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren,the wombs that never boreand the breasts that never nursed.’At that time people will say to the mountains,‘Fall upon us!’and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?"Now two others, both criminals,were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left.Then Jesus said,"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."They divided his garments by casting lots.The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."Even the soldiers jeered at him.As they approached to offer him wine they called out,"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,"Are you not the Christ?Save yourself and us."The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,"Have you no fear of God,for you are subject to the same condemnation?And indeed, we have been condemned justly,for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."Then he said,"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."He replied to him,"Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole landuntil three in the afternoonbecause of an eclipse of the sun.Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said,"This man was innocent beyond doubt."When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened,they returned home beating their breasts;but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who,though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action.He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God.He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen clothand laid him in a rock-hewn tombin which no one had yet been buried.It was the day of preparation,and the sabbath was about to begin.The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils.Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

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Mass Reading Thursday March 29, 2007

Reading 1

Gn 17:3-9

When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him:"My covenant with you is this:you are to become the father of a host of nations.No longer shall you be called Abram;your name shall be Abraham,for I am making you the father of a host of nations.I will render you exceedingly fertile;I will make nations of you;kings shall stem from you.I will maintain my covenant with youand your descendants after youthroughout the ages as an everlasting pact,to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.I will give to youand to your descendants after youthe land in which you are now staying,the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession;and I will be their God."

God also said to Abraham:"On your part, you and your descendants after youmust keep my covenant throughout the ages.’

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Responsorial Psalm

Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Look to the LORD in his strength;

seek to serve him constantly.

Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,

his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

He remembers forever his covenant

which he made binding for a thousand generations—

Which he entered into with Abraham

and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

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Gospel

Jn 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews:"Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever keeps my word will never see death."So the Jews said to him,"Now we are sure that you are possessed.Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say,‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died?Who do you make yourself out to be?"Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing;but it is my Father who glorifies me,of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’You do not know him, but I know him.And if I should say that I do not know him,I would be like you a liar.But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day;he saw it and was glad."So the Jews said to him,"You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?"Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,before Abraham came to be, I AM."So they picked up stones to throw at him;but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

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Mass Readings Wednesday March 28, 2007

Reading 1

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

King Nebuchadnezzar said:"Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,that you will not serve my god,or worship the golden statue that I set up?Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made,whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet,flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe,and all the other musical instruments;otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace;and who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar,"There is no need for us to defend ourselves before youin this matter.If our God, whom we serve,can save us from the white-hot furnaceand from your hands, O king, may he save us!But even if he will not, know, O king,that we will not serve your godor worship the golden statue that you set up."

King Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rageagainst Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usualand had some of the strongest men in his armybind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegoand cast them into the white-hot furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles,"Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?""Assuredly, O king," they answered."But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt,walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed,"Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him;they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodiesrather than serve or worship any godexcept their own God."

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Responsorial Psalm

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;

And blessed is your holy and glorious name,

praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you who look into the depths

from your throne upon the cherubim;

praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,

praiseworthy and glorious forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

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Gospel

Jn 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."They answered him, "We are descendants of Abrahamand have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?"Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.A slave does not remain in a household forever,but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.I know that you are descendants of Abraham.But you are trying to kill me,because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;then do what you have heard from the Father."

They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham’s children,you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me,a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;Abraham did not do this.You are doing the works of your father!"So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me,for I came from God and am here;I did not come on my own, but he sent me."

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