 |
| "The First Shall Be Last" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Ezekiel
34: 1 - 11
1
And the word of the Lord came to me, it saying:
2
Son of man, prophesy concerning the shepherds of Israel: prophesy,
and say to the shepherds: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the
shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves: should not the flocks be
fed by the shepherds?
3
You ate the milk, and you clothed yourselves with the wool, and you
killed that which was fat: but my flock you did not feed.
4
The weak you have not strengthened, and that which was sick you have
not healed, that which was broken you have not bound up, and that
which was driven away you have not brought again, neither have you
sought that which was lost: but you ruled over them with rigour, and
with a high hand.
5
And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd and they
became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
6
My sheep have wandered in every mountain, and in every high hill: and
my flocks were scattered upon the face of the earth, and there was
none that sought them, there was none, I say, that sought them.
7
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:
8
As I live, saith the Lord God, forasmuch as my flocks have been made
a spoil, and my sheep are become a prey to all the beasts of the
field, because there was no shepherd: for my shepherds did not seek
after my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my
flocks:
9
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:
10
Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself come upon the shepherds, I
will require my flock at their hand, and I will cause them to cease
from feeding the flock any more, neither shall the shepherds feed
themselves any more: and I will deliver my flock from their mouth,
and it shall no more be meat for them.
11
For thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and
will visit them.
PSALM:
Psalms 23:
1 - 6
1
The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2
He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the
water of refreshment:
3
He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice,
for his own name’s sake.
4
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have
comforted me.
5
Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebreateth
me, how goodly is it!
6
And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 20:
1 - 16
1
The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early
in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2
And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them
into his vineyard.
3
And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the
marketplace idle.
4
And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give
you what shall be just.
5
And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and
the ninth hour, and did in like manner.
6
But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing,
and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?
7
They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go
ye also into my vineyard.
8
And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his
steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from
the last even to the first.
9
When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they
received every man a penny.
10
But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive
more: And they also received every man a penny.
11
And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,
12
Saying: These last have worked but one hour. and thou hast made them
equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.
13
But he answering said to one of them: friend, I do thee no wrong:
didst thou not agree with me for a penny?
14
Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last
even as to thee.
15
Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil,
because I am good?
16
So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called
but few chosen.
