FIRST
READING: Wisdom
18: 6 - 9
6
For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly
knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better
courage.
7
So thy people received the salvation of the just, and destruction of
the unjust.
8
For as thou didst punish the adversaries: so thou didst also
encourage and glorify us.
9
For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly,
and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should
receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the
fathers.
PSALM:
Psalms 33:
1, 12, 18 - 22
1
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright.
12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath
chosen for his inheritance.
18
Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them
that hope in his mercy.
19
To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine.
20
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.
21
For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have
trusted.
22
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee.
SECOND
READING: Hebrews
11: 1 - 2, 8 - 19 OR
Hebrews 11:
1 - 2, 8 - 12
1
Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of
things that appear not.
2
For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
8
By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
9
By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and
Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
10
For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and
maker is God.
11
By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to
conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that
he was faithful who had promised,
12
For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead)
as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the
sea shore innumerable.
13
All these died according to faith, not having received the promises,
but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that
they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.
14
For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country.
15
And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out,
they had doubtless time to return.
16
But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath
prepared for them a city.
17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had
received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;
18
(To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
19
Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon
also he received him for a parable.
OR
1
Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of
things that appear not.
2
For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
8
By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
9
By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and
Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
10
For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and
maker is God.
11
By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to
conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that
he was faithful who had promised,
12
For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead)
as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the
sea shore innumerable.
GOSPEL:
Luke 12:
32 - 48 OR Luke
12: 35 - 40
32
Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a
kingdom.
33
Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which
grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief
approacheth, nor moth corrupteth.
34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35
Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.
36
And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall
return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may
open to him immediately.
37
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find
watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them
sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.
38
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,
and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39
But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the
thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his
house to be broken open.
40
Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of
man will come.
41
And Peter said to him: Lord, dost thou speak this parable to us, or
likewise to all?
42
And the Lord said: Who (thinkest thou) is the faithful and wise
steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their
measure of wheat in due season?
43
Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find
so doing.
44
Verily I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesseth.
45
But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming;
and shall begin to strike the menservants and maidservants, and to
eat and to drink and be drunk:
46
The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and
at the hour that he knoweth not, and shall separate him, and shall
appoint him his portion with unbelievers.
47
And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not
himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes.
48
But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be
beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him
much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him
they will demand the more.
OR
35
Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.
36
And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall
return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may
open to him immediately.
37
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find
watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them
sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.
38
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,
and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39
But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the
thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his
house to be broken open.
40
Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of
man will come.
