First Reading

Exodus 17:8-13 (JB)

A reading from the book of Exodus

As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage.

The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses’ arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm until sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Exodus 17:8-13 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of Exodus

Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.

Moses said to Joshua,

“Choose some men for us and go out, fight with Amalek.

Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill

with the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did as Moses told him,

and fought with Amalek,

while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Whenever Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed;

and whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses’ hands grew weary;

so they took a stone and put it under him,

and he sat on it.

Aaron and Hur held up his hands,

one on one side, and the other on the other side;

so his hands were steady until the sun set.

And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 120 (JB)

R. Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains:

from where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

who made heaven and earth. R.

May he never allow you to stumble!

Let him sleep not, your guard.

No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,

Israel’s guard. R.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;

at your right side he stands.

By day the sun shall not smite you

nor the moon in the night. R.

The Lord will guard you from evil,

he will guard your soul.

The Lord will guard your going and coming

both now and for ever. R.

Second Reading

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2 (JB)

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy

This is how the people of God become equipped and ready for every good work.

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.

Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2 (NRSV)

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy

Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed,

knowing from whom you learned it,

and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings

that are able to instruct you for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is inspired by God

and is useful for teaching,

for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient,

equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,

who is to judge the living and the dead,

and in view of his appearing and his kingdom,

I solemnly urge you:

proclaim the message;

be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable;

convince, rebuke, and encourage,

with the utmost patience in teaching.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

Hebrews 4:12 (JB)

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is living and active;

it probes the thoughts and motives of our heart.

Alleluia!

Hebrews 4:12 (NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is living and active;

it probes the thoughts and motives of our heart.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 18:1-8 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

God will see those who cry to him vindicated.

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”‘

And the Lord said, ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke

Jesus told the disciples a parable about their need to pray always

and not to lose heart.

He said,

“In a certain city there was a judge

who neither feared God nor had respect for people.

In that city there was a widow

who kept coming to him and saying,

‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’

“For a while the judge refused;

but later he said to himself,

‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,

yet because this widow keeps bothering me,

I will grant her justice,

so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'”

And the Lord said,

“Listen to what the unjust judge says.

Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones

who cry to him day and night?

Will he delay long in helping them?

I tell you, God will quickly grant justice to them.

“And yet, when the Son of Man comes,

will he find faith on earth?”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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