Archive for September 2023

First Reading Exodus 22:20-26 (JB) A reading from the book of Exodus If you are harsh with the widow or the orphan, my anger will rage against you. The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the sons of Israel this, “You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the…

First Reading Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah I have taken the hand of Cyrus to subdue nations before his countenance. Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he has taken by his right hand to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings, to force…

First Reading Isaiah 25:6-10 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah The Lord will prepare a feast and will wipe away the tears from every cheek. On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of food rich and juicy, of fine…

First Reading Genesis 2:18-24 (JB) A reading from the book of Genesis They were two in one flesh. The Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.’ So from the soil the Lord God fashioned all the wild beasts and all the birds of…

First Reading Ezekiel 18:25-28 (JB) A reading from the prophet Ezekiel The sinner who decides to turn against sinfulness deserves to live. The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘You object, “What the Lord does is unjust.” Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what…

First Reading Isaiah 55:6-9 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah My thoughts are not your thoughts. Seek the Lord while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near. Let the wicked man abandon his way, the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn back to the Lord who…

First Reading Sirach 27:30 – 28:7 (JB) A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus Forgive your neighbour’s faults and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict…