Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: A(II).

First reading	Hosea 6:1-6

‘I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice.’

Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51(50):3-4. 18-19. 20-21b. ℟ cf. Hosea 6:6

I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your merciful love;

according to your great compassion,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me completely from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

For in sacrifice you take no delight;

burnt offering from me would not please you.

My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit:

a broken and humbled heart,

you will not spurn, O God.

I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

In your good pleasure, show favour to Sion;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in right sacrifice,

burnt offerings wholly consumed.

I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

Gospel Acclamation
Cf. Psalm 95(94): 8a, 7c

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God.

Harden not your hearts today,

but listen to the voice of the Lord.

Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God.

Gospel	Luke 18:9-14

‘The tax collector went down to his house justified, rather than the Pharisee.’

At that time: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.

Universalis podcast: The week ahead – from 15 to 21 March

St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland: his life and his breastplate. Sin: what makes a sin a sin? The Seven Deadly Sins and the Divine Comedy. The other story of the healing of a blind man. (27 minutes)
Episode notes.

Christian Art

Each day, The Christian Art website gives a picture and reflection on the Gospel of the day.

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.