FIRST
READING: Judges
11: 29 - 39
29
Therefore the spirit of the Lord came upon Jephte, and going round
Galaad, and Manasses, and Maspha of Galaad, and passing over from
thence to the children of Ammon,
30
He made a vow to the Lord, saying: If thou wilt deliver the children
of Ammon into my hands,
31
Whosoever shall first come forth out of the doors of my house, and
shall meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, the
same will I offer a holocaust to the Lord.
32
And Jephte passed over to the children of Ammon, to fight against
them: and the Lord delivered them into his hands.
33
And he smote them from Aroer till you come to Mennith, twenty cities,
and as far as Abel, which is set with vineyards, with a very great
slaughter: and the children of Ammon were humbled by the children of
Israel.
34
And when Jephte returned into Maspha to his house, his only daughter
met him with timbrels and with dances: for he had no other children.
35
And when he saw her, he rent his garments, and said: Alas! my
daughter, thou hast deceived me, and thou thyself art deceived: for I
have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I can do no other thing.
36
And she answered him: My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth to the
Lord, do unto me whatsoever thou hast promised, since the victory
hath been granted to thee, and revenge of thy enemies.
37
And she said to her father: Grant me only this which I desire: Let me
go, that I may go about the mountains for two months, and may bewail
my virginity with my companions.
38
And he answered her: Go. And he sent her away for two months. And
when she was gone with her comrades and companions, she mourned her
virginity in the mountains.
39
And the two months being expired, she returned to her father, and he
did to her as he had vowed.
PSALM:
Psalms 40:
5, 7 - 10
5
Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who
hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
7
Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced
ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:
8
Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of
me
9
That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law
in the midst of my heart.
10
I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not
restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 22:
1 - 14
1
And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:
2
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for
his son.
3
And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the
marriage; and they would not come.
4
Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed,
and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.
5
But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and
another to his merchandise.
6
And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them
contumeliously, put them to death.
7
But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his
armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.
8
Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they
that were invited were not worthy.
9
Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find,
call to the marriage.
10
And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all
that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with
guests.
11
And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who
had not on a wedding garment.
12
And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? But he was silent.
13
Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast
him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.
14
For many are called, but few are chosen.
