Optional
Memorial of Saint
Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor
FIRST
READING: Genesis
16: 1 - 12, 15 - 16 Or
Genesis 16:
6 - 12, 15 - 16
1
Now Sarai the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children; but
having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar,
2
She said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from
bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her
at least. And when he agreed to her request,
3
She took Agar the Egyptian her handmaid, ten years after they first
dwelt in the land of Chanaan, and gave her to her husband to wife.
4
And he went in to her. But she, perceiving that she was with child,
despised her mistress.
5
And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my
handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child,
despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.
6
And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy
own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her,
she ran away.
7
And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in
the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert,
8
He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and
whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai,
my mistress.
9
And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and
humble thyself under her hand.
10
And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall
not be numbered for multitude.
11
And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring
forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord
hath heard thy affliction.
12
He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all
men's hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against
all his brethren.
15
And Agar brought forth a son to Abram: who called his name Ismael.
16
Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth
Ismael.
Or
6
And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy
own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her,
she ran away.
7
And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in
the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert,
8
He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and
whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai,
my mistress.
9
And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and
humble thyself under her hand.
10
And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall
not be numbered for multitude.
11
And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring
forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord
hath heard thy affliction.
12
He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all
men's hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against
all his brethren.
15
And Agar brought forth a son to Abram: who called his name Ismael.
16
Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth
Ismael.
PSALM:
Psalms 106:
1 - 5
1
Alleluia. Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy
endureth for ever.
2
Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? who shall set forth all his
praises?
3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do justice at all times.
4
Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy
salvation.
5
That we may see the good of thy chosen, that we may rejoice in the
joy of thy nation: that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 7:
21 - 29
21
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in
heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
22
Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied
in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles
in thy name?
23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
you that work iniquity.
24
Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall
be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,
25
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they
beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.
26
And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall
be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand,
27
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they
beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof.
28
And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the
people were in admiration at his doctrine.
29
For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes
and Pharisees.
