- Readings for the Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr Reading 1 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 When the time of David's death drew near,he gave these instructions to his son Solomon:"I am going the way of all flesh.Take courage and be a man.Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his waysand observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decreesas they are written in the law of Moses,that you may succeed in whatever you do,wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfillthe promise he made on my behalf when he said,'If your sons so conduct themselvesthat they remain faithful to […]
- Reading 1 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him,“Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-shebaand register the people, that I may know their number.”Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered:in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand.Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people,and said to the LORD:“I have sinned grievously in what I have done.But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant,for I have been very foolish.”When David rose in the morning,the LORD […]
- Reading 1 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30–19:3 Absalom unexpectedly came up against David's servants.He was mounted on a mule,and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth,his hair caught fast in the tree.He hung between heaven and earthwhile the mule he had been riding ran off.Someone saw this and reported to Joabthat he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth.And taking three pikes in hand,he thrust for the heart of Absalom,still hanging from the tree alive.Now David was sitting between the two gates,and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city […]
- Reading I Malachi 3:1-4 Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons […]
- Reading 1 Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,who have observed his law;seek justice, seek humility;perhaps you may be shelteredon the day of the LORD's anger.But I will leave as a remnant in your midsta people humble and lowly,who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:the remnant of Israel.They shall do no wrongand speak no lies;nor shall there be found in their mouthsa deceitful tongue;they shall pasture and couch their flockswith none to disturb them. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of […]
- Readings for the Memorial of Saint John Bosco, priest Reading I 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17 The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him,Nathan said: “Judge this case for me!In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor.The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought.He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children.She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom.She was like a daughter to […]
- Reading 1 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign,David sent out Joab along with his officersand the army of Israel,and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.David, however, remained in Jerusalem.One evening David rose from his siestaand strolled about on the roof of the palace.From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful.David had inquiries made about the woman and was told,“She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam,and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.”Then David sent messengers and took her.When she came to him, he had […]
- Reading I 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 After Nathan had spoken to King David, the king went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to this point?Yet even this you see as too little, Lord GOD; you have also spoken of the house of your servant for a long time to come: this too you have shown to man, Lord GOD!“You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, LORD, have become their God.And now, LORD God, confirm for all time the prophecy you have […]
