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| "The Hidden Treasure" -- by James Tissot |
Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
FIRST
READING: Jeremiah
15: 10, 16 - 21
10
Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and
contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed,
yet all of them curse me.
16
Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a
joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O LORD,
God of hosts.
17
I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; I sat
alone, because thy hand was upon me, for thou hadst filled me with
indignation.
18
Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
Wilt thou be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
19
Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore
you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious,
and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn
to you, but you shall not turn to them.
20
And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they
will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am
with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD.
21
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from
the grasp of the ruthless."
PSALM:
Psalms 59:
2 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18
2
deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty
men.
3
For, lo, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men band themselves
against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
4
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Rouse thyself, come to
my help, and see!
10
My God in his steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in
triumph on my enemies.
11
Slay them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by thy power,
and bring them down, O Lord, our shield!
17
O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee, for thou, O God, art my
fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 13:
44 - 46
44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which
a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all
that he has and buys that field.
45
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of
fine pearls,
46
who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he
had and bought it.
