Daily Readings

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!What profit has man from all the laborwhich he toils at under the sun?One generation passes and another comes,but the world forever stays.The sun rises and the sun goes down;then it presses on to the place where it rises.Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.All rivers go to the sea,yet never does the sea become full.To the place where they go,the rivers keep on going.All speech is labored;there is nothing one can say.The eye is not satisfied with seeingnor is the ear satisfied with hearing.

What has been, that will be;what has been done, that will be done.Nothing is new under the sun.Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!”has already existed in the ages that preceded us.There is no remembrance of the men of old;nor of those to come will there be any remembranceamong those who come after them. 

R. (1)  In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.You turn man back to dust,saying, “Return, O children of men.”For a thousand years in your sightare as yesterday, now that it is past,or as a watch of the night.R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.You make an end of them in their sleep;the next morning they are like the changing grass,Which at dawn springs up anew,but by evening wilts and fades.R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.Teach us to number our days aright,that we may gain wisdom of heart.Return, O LORD!  How long?Have pity on your servants!R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.Prosper the work of our hands for us!Prosper the work of our hands!R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;no one comes to the Father except through me.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,“John has been raised from the dead”;others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”But Herod said, “John I beheaded.Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”And he kept trying to see him.

Every word of God is tested;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.Add nothing to his words,lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.Two things I ask of you,deny them not to me before I die:Put falsehood and lying far from me,give me neither poverty nor riches;provide me only with the food I need;Lest, being full, I deny you,saying, "Who is the LORD?"Or, being in want, I steal,and profane the name of my God. 

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.Remove from me the way of falsehood,and favor me with your law.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.The law of your mouth is to me more preciousthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.Your word, O LORD, endures forever;it is firm as the heavens.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.From every evil way I withhold my feet,that I may keep your words.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.Through your precepts I gain discernment;therefore I hate every false way.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.Falsehood I hate and abhor;your law I love.R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Kingdom of God is at hand;repent and believe in the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authorityover all demons and to cure diseases,and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of Godand to heal the sick.He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,and let no one take a second tunic.Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.And as for those who do not welcome you,when you leave that town,shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."Then they set out and went from village to villageproclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere. 

Like a stream is the king’s heart in the hand of the LORD;wherever it pleases him, he directs it.

All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes,but it is the LORD who proves hearts.

To do what is right and justis more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart–the tillage of the wicked is sin.

The plans of the diligent are sure of profit,but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.

Whoever makes a fortune by a lying tongueis chasing a bubble over deadly snares.

The soul of the wicked man desires evil;his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.

When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

The just man appraises the house of the wicked:there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poorwill himself also call and not be heard.

R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.Blessed are they whose way is blameless,who walk in the law of the LORD.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.Make me understand the way of your precepts,and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.The way of truth I have chosen;I have set your ordinances before me.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.Give me discernment, that I may observe your lawand keep it with all my heart.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.Lead me in the path of your commands,for in it I delight.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.And I will keep your law continually,forever and ever.R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are those who hear the word of Godand observe it.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to himbut were unable to join him because of the crowd.He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outsideand they wish to see you.”He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”