Daily Readings

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,Satan also came among them.And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?"Then Satan answered the LORD and said,"From roaming the earth and patrolling it." And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job,and that there is no one on earth like him,blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"But Satan answered the LORD and said,"Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?Have you not surrounded him and his familyand all that he has with your protection?You have blessed the work of his hands,and his livestock are spread over the land.But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."And the LORD said to Satan,"Behold, all that he has is in your power;only do not lay a hand upon his person."So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.And so one day, while his sons and his daughterswere eating and drinking winein the house of their eldest brother,a messenger came to Job and said,"The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.They put the herdsmen to the sword,and I alone have escaped to tell you."While he was yet speaking, another came and said,"Lightning has fallen from heavenand struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;and I alone have escaped to tell you."While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,"The Chaldeans formed three columns,seized the camels, carried them off,and put those tending them to the sword,and I alone have escaped to tell you."While he was yet speaking, another came and said,"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking winein the house of their eldest brother,when suddenly a great wind came across the desertand smote the four corners of the house.It fell upon the young people and they are dead;and I alone have escaped to tell you."Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,and naked shall I go back again.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;blessed be the name of the LORD!"In all this Job did not sin,nor did he say anything disrespectful of God. 

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.Hear, O LORD, a just suit;attend to my outcry;hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.From you let my judgment come;your eyes behold what is right.Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word.Show your wondrous mercies,O savior of those who fleefrom their foes to refuge at your right hand.R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Son of Man came to serveand to give his life as a ransom for many.R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

An argument arose among the disciplesabout which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a childand placed it by his side and said to them,"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.For the one who is least among all of youis the one who is the greatest."Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent himbecause he does not follow in our company."Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you." 

Thus says the LORD:You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"Hear now, house of Israel:Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,and does what is right and just,he shall preserve his life;since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.Remember that your compassion, O LORD,and your love are from of old.The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;in your kindness remember me,because of your goodness, O LORD.R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way.R. Remember your mercies, O Lord. 

Brothers and sisters:If there is any encouragement in Christ,any solace in love,any participation in the Spirit,any compassion and mercy,complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,united in heart, thinking one thing.Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,each looking out not for his own interests,but also for those of others.Have in you the same attitudethat is also in Christ Jesus,Who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godsomething to be grasped.Rather, he emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,coming in human likeness;and found human in appearance,he humbled himself,becoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the namewhich is above every name,that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. 

Brothers and sisters:If there is any encouragement in Christ,any solace in love,any participation in the Spirit,any compassion and mercy,complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,united in heart, thinking one thing.Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,each looking out not for his own interests,but also for those of others.Have in you the same attitudethat is also in Christ Jesus. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;I know them, and they follow me.R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:"What is your opinion?A man had two sons.He came to the first and said,'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'He said in reply, 'I will not,'but afterwards changed his mind and went.The man came to the other son and gave the same order.He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go.Which of the two did his father's will?"They answered, "The first."Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,tax collectors and prostitutesare entering the kingdom of God before you.When John came to you in the way of righteousness,you did not believe him;but tax collectors and prostitutes did.Yet even when you saw that,you did not later change your minds and believe him." 

Rejoice, O young man, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.Follow the ways of your heart,the vision of your eyes;Yet understand that as regards all thisGod will bring you to judgment.Ward off grief from your heartand put away trouble from your presence,though the dawn of youth is fleeting.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,before the evil days comeAnd the years approach of which you will say,I have no pleasure in them;Before the sun is darkened,and the light, and the moon, and the stars,while the clouds return after the rain;When the guardians of the house tremble,and the strong men are bent,And the grinders are idle because they are few,and they who look through the windows grow blind;When the doors to the street are shut,and the sound of the mill is low;When one waits for the chirp of a bird,but all the daughters of song are suppressed;And one fears heights,and perils in the street;When the almond tree blooms,and the locust grows sluggishand the caper berry is without effect,Because man goes to his lasting home,and mourners go about the streets;Before the silver cord is snappedand the golden bowl is broken,And the pitcher is shattered at the spring,and the broken pulley falls into the well,And the dust returns to the earth as it once was,and the life breath returns to God who gave it.

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,all things are vanity!

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 sight are 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.And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;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.Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed deathand brought life to light through the Gospel.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

While they were all amazed at his every deed,Jesus said to his disciples,“Pay attention to what I am telling you.The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying;its meaning was hidden from themso that they should not understand it,and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.