First Reading

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19 (JB)

A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus

The prayer of the humble will penetrate the heavens.

The Lord is a judge

who is no respecter of personages.

He shows no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man,

he listens to the plea of the injured party.

He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication,

nor the widow’s as she pours out her story.

The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted,

his petitions will carry to the clouds.

The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds,

until it arrives he is inconsolable,

nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him,

acquits the virtuous and delivers judgement.

And the Lord will not be slow,

nor will he be dilatory on their behalf.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of Sirach

The Lord is the judge,

and with him there is no partiality.

He will not show partiality to the poor

but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

The Lord will not ignore the supplication of the orphan,

or the widow when she pours out her complaint.

The one whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,

and the prayer of such a person will reach to the cloud.

The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,

and it will not rest until it reaches its goal;

it will not desist until the Most High responds

and does justice for the righteous,

and executes judgment.

Indeed, the Lord will not delay.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 32:2-3, 17-19, 23 (JB)

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the Lord at all times,

his praise always on my lips;

in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.

The humble shall hear and be glad. R.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked

to destroy their remembrance from the earth.

The just call and the Lord hears

and rescues them in all their distress. R.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;

those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.

Those who hide in him shall not be condemned. R.

Second Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (JB)

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy

All that remains is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (NRSV)

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation,

and the time of my departure has come.

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

From now on

there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge,

will give me on that day,

and not only to me

but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support,

but all deserted me.

May it not be counted against them!

But the Lord stood by me

and gave me strength,

so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed

and all the Gentiles might hear it.

So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack

and save me for his heavenly kingdom.

To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

2 Corinthians 5:19 (JB)

Alleluia, alleluia!

God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself;

and the Good News of reconciliation he has entrusted to us.

Alleluia!

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia!

God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself;

and the good news of reconciliation he has entrusted to us.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 18:9-14 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

The publican returned to his home justified; the pharisee did not.

Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else. ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke

Jesus told this parable

to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,

and regarded others with contempt:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray,

one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus,

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people:

thieves, rogues, adulterers,

or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week;

I give a tenth of all my income.’

“But the tax collector, standing far off,

would not even look up to heaven,

but was beating his breast and saying,

‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

“I tell you,

this man went down to his home justified rather than the other;

for all who exalt themselves will be humbled,

but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Posted in Readings