- Reading 1 Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 This word of the LORD came to me:Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!I remember the devotion of your youth,how you loved me as a bride,Following me in the desert,in a land unsown.Sacred to the LORD was Israel,the first fruits of his harvest;Should any presume to partake of them,evil would befall them, says the LORD.When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits,You entered and defiled my land,you made my heritage loathsome.The priests asked not,“Where is the LORD?”Those who dealt with the law knew me not:the shepherds rebelled against […]
- Reading 1 Song of Songs 3:1-4b The Bride says: On my bed at night I sought him whom my heart loves– I sought him but I did not find him. I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek Him whom my heart loves. I sought him but I did not find him. The watchmen came upon me, as they made their rounds of the city: Have you seen him whom my heart loves? I had hardly left them when I found him whom my heart loves. OR 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Brothers […]
- Reading 1 Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff,the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland,in the midst of Carmel.Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,as in the days of old;As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,show us wonderful signs.Who is there like you, the God who removes guiltand pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;Who does not persist in anger forever,but delights rather in clemency,And will again have compassion on us,treading underfoot our guilt?You will cast into the depths of the seaall our sins;You will show faithfulness to Jacob,and […]
- Reading 1 Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the LORD says:Arise, present your plea before the mountains,and let the hills hear your voice!Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,pay attention, O foundations of the earth!For the LORD has a plea against his people,and he enters into trial with Israel.O my people, what have I done to you,or how have I wearied you? Answer me!For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,from the place of slavery I released you;and I sent before you Moses,Aaron, and Miriam.With what shall I come before the LORD,and bow before God most high?Shall I […]
- Reading 1 Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 There is no god besides you who have the care of all,that you need show you have not unjustly condemned.For your might is the source of justice;your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved;and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,and with much lenience you govern us;for power, whenever you will, attends you.And you taught your people, by these deeds,that those who are just must be kind;and you gave your […]
- Reading 1 Micah 2:1-5 Woe to those who plan iniquity,and work out evil on their couches;In the morning light they accomplish itwhen it lies within their power.They covet fields, and seize them;houses, and they take them;They cheat an owner of his house,a man of his inheritance.Therefore thus says the LORD:Behold, I am planning against this race an evilfrom which you shall not withdraw your necks;Nor shall you walk with head high,for it will be a time of evil.On that day a satire shall be sung over you,and there shall be a plaintive chant:"Our ruin is complete,our fields are portioned out […]
- Reading 1 Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 When Hezekiah was mortally ill,the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, came and said to him:"Thus says the LORD: Put your house in order,for you are about to die; you shall not recover."Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD:"O LORD, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedlyI conducted myself in your presence,doing what was pleasing to you!"And Hezekiah wept bitterly.Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go, tell Hezekiah:Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David:I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.I will heal you: […]
- Reading 1 Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 The way of the just is smooth;the path of the just you make level.Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD,we look to you;Your name and your titleare the desire of our souls.My soul yearns for you in the night,yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;When your judgment dawns upon the earth,the world's inhabitants learn justice.O LORD, you mete out peace to us,for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.O LORD, oppressed by your punishment,we cried out in anguish under your chastising.As a woman about to give birthwrithes […]