FIRST
READING: Jeremiah
26: 1 - 9
1
At the beginning of the reign of Judah's king Jehoiakim son of
Josiah, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah:
2
Yahweh says this, "Stand in the courtyard of Yahweh's House and
say to all who come from the towns of Judah to worship in Yahweh's
house - all that I command you to say; do not omit anything!
3
Perhaps they will listen to you. Perhaps each one will turn from his
wicked ways. Then I will change my mind and forget the destruction
that I have planned to inflict on them because of their wicked deeds.
4
Tell them: This is what Yahweh says:
"You
have not obeyed me and you have failed to walk according to my Law
which I have set before you.
5
You have not heeded my servants, the prophets, whom I have
persistently sent to you. If you stubbornly close your ears to them,
6
I will treat this House of mine as I treated the sanctuary of Shiloh
and let all the nations see that Jerusalem is a cursed city."
7
The priests, the prophets and all the people heard what Jeremiah said
in Yahweh's House.
8
When Jeremiah finished saying all that Yahweh had commanded, he was
besieged by the priests and prophets saying, "You are bound to
die!
9
How dare you speak in Yahweh's Name telling us that this House will
be treated like Shiloh and this city is to become a deserted ruins."
And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the House of Yahweh.
PSALM:
Psalms 69:
5, 8 - 10, 14
5
More than the hairs of my head are those who hate me for no reason;
mighty are those who attack me, many are my enemies without cause.
What I did not steal I am forced to restore.
8
since I am held in contempt for your sake, and shame has covered my
face.
9
I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother's sons.
10
Zeal for your house consumes me as fire and those who insult you
insult me as well.
14
But I pray to you, O Lord, at a time most favorable to you. In your
great love, O God, answer me with your unfailing help.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 13:
54 - 58
54
He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were amazed and said, "Where did he get this wisdom and
these special powers?
55
Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother and aren't James,
Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers?
56
Aren't all his sisters living here? How did he get all this?"
57
And so they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "The only
place where prophets are not welcome is their hometown and in their
own family."
58
And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of
faith.
