Mass Readings for Tuesday, June 14, 2011

FIRST READING: 2 Corinthians 8: 1 - 9

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1 We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia,

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will,

4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints --

5 and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

6 Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work.

7 Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also.

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

PSALM: Psalms 146: 2, 5 - 9

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2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have being.

5 Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;

8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

GOSPEL: Matthew 5: 43 - 48

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43 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Mass Readings for Monday, June 13, 2011

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua

FIRST READING: 2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 10

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1 Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.

2 For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3 We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,

4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

5 beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger;

6 by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,

7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;

9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed;

10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

PSALM: Psalms 98: 1 - 4

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1 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

GOSPEL: Matthew 5: 38 - 42

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38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also;

40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well;

41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.