Readings at Mass

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

First reading	1 Kings 17:7-16

‘The jar of flour was not spent according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.’

In those days: The brook where Elijah was hiding dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’ So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.’ And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’ And she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.’ And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” ’ And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 4:2-3. 4-5. 7-8. ℟7b

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

O God of justice, give answer when I call;

from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O you people, how long will my glory be dishonoured,

will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

Know that the Lord works wonders for his faithful one;

the Lord will hear me whenever I call him.

Tremble, do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still.

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

‘O that we might see better times,’ many say.

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy

than abundance of grain and new wine can provide.

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation	Matthew 5:16

Alleluia, alleluia.

Let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works

and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Alleluia.

Gospel	Matthew 5:13-16

‘You are the light of the world.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

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

Christian Art

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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.