Readings: Wednesday, 23rd week in ordinary time.

First Reading

 

First Reading: 1 Cor 7:25–31

Brothers and sisters:
In regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, 
          but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 
So this is what I think best because of the present distress: 
          that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is. 
Are you bound to a wife?  Do not seek a separation. 
Are you free of a wife?  Then do not look for a wife. 
If you marry, however, you do not sin, 
          nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; 
          but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, 
          and I would like to spare you that. 
  
I tell you, brothers,  the time is running out. 
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, 
          those weeping as not weeping,  
          those rejoicing as not rejoicing, 
          those buying as not owning, 
          those using the world as not using it fully. 
For the world in its present form is passing away.

Responsorial Psalm

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps  45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R./ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, 
          forget your people and your father's house. 
So shall the king desire your beauty; 
          for he is your lord, and you must worship him. 
R./ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

All glorious is the king's daughter as she enters; 
          her raiment is threaded with spun gold. 
In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king; 
          behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you. 
R./ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

They are borne in with gladness and joy; 
          they enter the palace of the king. 
The place of your fathers your sons shall have; 
          you shall make them princes through all the land. 
R./ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

Holy Gospel

 

Gospel Reading: Lk 6:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said, 
"Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours."
Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets.

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.
Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets."