31 August. Friday, Week 21

1st Reading: 1 Corinthians (1:1-9) Paul acknowledges the Corinthians’ gifts and prays for them Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sos’thenes, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those…

1st Reading: Jeremiah (1:17-19) Like Jeremiah, we must speak out against domineering rulers But as for you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. And I for my part have made you today a fortified…

1st Reading: 2 Thessalonians (2:1-3, 14-17) Do not be unduly excited about the second coming of the Lord As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word…

1st Reading: 2 Thessalonians (1:1-5, 11-12) By their faith and love, the name of Jesus Christ is glorified Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always give…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (43:1-7) The glory of the Lord will return to the temple The angel brought me to the gate, the gate facing east. And there, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east; the sound was like the sound of mighty waters; and the earth shone with his glory….

1st Reading: Revelation (21:9-14) The City of God has twelve gates, representing the twelve apostles One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And in the spirit he carried me…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (36:23-28) The exiles return to their promised land, purified and renewed in spirit, and so enabled to keep God’s law The Lord says this, “I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am…

1st Reading: Isaiah (9:1-6) God’s promise of joy and restoration to those who sat in darkness There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way,…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (28:1-10) God warns the proud, wealthy seaport metropolis of Tyre The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: Because your heart is proud and you have said, “I am a god; I sit in the seat of the gods, in…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (24:15-23) He does not publicly mourn his wife’s death, as a sign that Jerusalem too will die The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (18:1-10, 13, 30-32) Each individual is responsible to God, for our own actions The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, says…

(Or option: Our Lady of Knock, Readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lectionary II, 1421-1449) 1st Reading: Ezekiel (16:1-15) Israel is like a baby girl, neglected but later espoused and loved by God The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, make known to Jerusalem her abominations, and say, Thus says…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (12:1-12) Ezekiel mimes going into exile, as a warning to the people The word of the Lord came to me: “Mortal, you are living in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, who have ears to hear but do not hear; for they are…

1st Reading: Ezekiel (2:8-3:4) The prophet eats the scroll, so he can speak the word of God The Lord said to me, “But you, mortal, hear what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” I looked, and a hand was stretched…