Mass Readings for Monday, October 08, 2012

"The Good Samaritan" -- by James Tissot

FIRST READING: Galatians 1: 6 - 12

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6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel --

7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

10 Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel.

12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

PSALM: Psalms 111: 1 - 2, 7 - 10

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1 Praise the LORD. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,

8 they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 25 - 37

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25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?"

27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.

32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion,

34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'

36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"

37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Sunday Mass Readings For October 07, 2012

"Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me" - by James Tissot

FIRST READING: Genesis 2: 18 - 24

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18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."

19 So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

20 The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper fit for him.

21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh;

22 and the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

23 Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.

PSALM: Psalms 128: 1 - 6

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1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!

6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2: 9 - 11

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9 But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

GOSPEL: Mark 10: 2 - 16 Or Mark 10: 2 - 12

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2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"

4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away."

5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

6 But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.'

7 `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,

8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.

9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."

10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

11 And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her;

12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

13 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

Or

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?"

4 They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away."

5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

6 But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.'

7 `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,

8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.

9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."

10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

11 And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her;

12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

Mass Readings for Saturday, October 06, 2012

Optional Memorial of Saint Bruno, Priest, Founder Carthusian Order

FIRST READING: Job 42: 1 - 3, 5 - 6, 12 - 17

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1 Then Job answered the LORD:

2 "I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted.

3 `Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

5 I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee;

6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.

13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

14 And he called the name of the first Jemi'mah; and the name of the second Kezi'ah; and the name of the third Ker'en-hap'puch.

15 And in all the land there were no women so fair as Job's daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers.

16 And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations.

17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

PSALM: Psalms 119: 66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

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66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.

75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

91 By thy appointment they stand this day; for all things are thy servants.

125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies!

130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 17 - 24

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17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

22 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

Mass Readings for Friday, October 05, 2012

Optional Memorial Saint Faustina Kowalska

FIRST READING: Job 38: 1, 12 - 21; Job 40: 3 - 5

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1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:

12 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,

13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment.

15 From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.

16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.

19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,

20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?

21 You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

3 Then Job answered the LORD:

4 "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay my hand on my mouth.

5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."

PSALM: Psalms 139: 1 - 3, 7 - 10, 13 - 14

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1 O LORD, thou hast searched me and known me!

2 Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discernest my thoughts from afar.

3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

13 For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou knowest me right well.

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 13 - 16

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13 "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

15 And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

16 "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

Mass Readings for Thursday, October 04, 2012

"He Sent them out Two by Two" -- by James Tissot

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, Religious

FIRST READING: Job 19: 21 - 27

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21 Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me.

22 Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh?

23 Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book?

24 With an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone.

25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth.

26 And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God.

27 Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this my hope is laid up in my bosom.

PSALM: Psalms 27: 7 - 9, 13 - 14

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7 Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me and hear me.

8 My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.

9 Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.

13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 1 - 12

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1 And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come.

2 And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest.

3 Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way.

5 Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house.

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.

7 And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house.

8 And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10 But into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, going forth into the streets thereof, say:

11 Even the very dust of your city that cleaveth to us, we wipe off against you. Yet know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand.

12 I say to you, it shall be more tolerable at that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Mass Readings for Wednesday, October 03, 2012

"The Man at the Plough" -- by James Tissot

FIRST READING: Job 9: 1 - 12, 14 - 16

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1 Then Job answered:

2 "Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be just before God?

3 If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.

4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength -- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded? --

5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger;

6 who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;

7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars;

8 who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the waves of the sea;

9 who made the Bear and Orion, the Plei'ades and the chambers of the south;

10 who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number.

11 Lo, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.

12 Behold, he snatches away; who can hinder him? Who will say to him, `What doest thou'?

14 How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?

15 Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

16 If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.

PSALM: Psalms 88: 10 - 15

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10 Dost thou work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise thee? [Selah]

11 Is thy steadfast love declared in the grave, or thy faithfulness in Abaddon?

12 Are thy wonders known in the darkness, or thy saving help in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But I, O LORD, cry to thee; in the morning my prayer comes before thee.

14 O LORD, why dost thou cast me off? Why dost thou hide thy face from me?

15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer thy terrors; I am helpless.

GOSPEL: Luke 9: 57 - 62

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57 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head."

59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

60 But he said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61 Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home."

62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Mass Readings for Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

FIRST READING: Job 3: 1 - 3, 11 - 17, 20 - 23

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1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.

2 And Job said:

3 "Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night which said, 'A man-child is conceived.'

11 "Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire?

12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should suck?

13 For then I should have lain down and been quiet; I should have slept; then I should have been at rest,

14 with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves,

15 or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver.

16 Or why was I not as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never see the light?

17 There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest.

20 "Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul,

21 who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22 who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, whom God has hedged in?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, whom God has hedged in?

PSALM: Psalms 88: 2 - 8

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2 Let my prayer come before thee, incline thy ear to my cry!

3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

4 I am reckoned among those who go down to the Pit; I am a man who has no strength,

5 like one forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom thou dost remember no more, for they are cut off from thy hand.

6 Thou hast put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep.

7 Thy wrath lies heavy upon me, and thou dost overwhelm me with all thy waves. [Selah]

8 Thou hast caused my companions to shun me; thou hast made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape.

GOSPEL: Matthew 18: 1 - 5, 10

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1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them,

3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me;

10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Mass Readings for Monday, October 01, 2012

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

FIRST READING: Job 1: 6 - 22

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6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

7 The LORD said to Satan, "Whence have you come?" Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."

8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face."

12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;

14 and there came a messenger to Job, and said, "The oxen were plowing and the asses feeding beside them;

15 and the Sabe'ans fell upon them and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

16 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

17 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chalde'ans formed three companies, and made a raid upon the camels and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

18 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;

19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped.

21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

PSALM: Psalms 17: 1 - 3, 6 - 7

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1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

2 From thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right!

3 If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.

6 I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to me, hear my words.

7 Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand.

GOSPEL: Luke 9: 46 - 50

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46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.

47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side,

48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

49 John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us."

50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you."

Sunday Mass Readings For September 30, 2012

FIRST READING: Numbers 11: 25 - 29

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25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did so no more.

26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested upon them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.

27 And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."

28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, forbid them."

29 But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

PSALM: Psalms 19: 8, 10, 12 - 14

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8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

12 But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

SECOND READING: James 5: 1 - 6

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1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.

3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.

4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man; he does not resist you.

GOSPEL: Mark 9: 38 - 43, 45, 47 - 48

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38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us."

39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is for us.

41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ, will by no means lose his reward.

42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.

45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.

47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,

48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

Mass Readings For Saturday, September 29, 2012

Feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael, Archangels

FIRST READING: Daniel 7: 9 - 10, 13 - 14 Or Revelation 12: 7 - 12

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9 As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.

10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him,

14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Or

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

12 Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

PSALM: Psalms 138: 1 - 5

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1 I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise;

2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word.

3 On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, for they have heard the words of thy mouth;

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

GOSPEL: John 1: 47 - 51

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47 Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

48 Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

49 Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these."

51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."