Readings at Mass

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

First reading	Hosea 14:1-9

‘We will say no more, “Our God,” to the work of our hands.’

Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, ‘Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, “Our God”, to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.’

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the corn; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51(50):3-4. 8-9. 12-13. 14, 17. ℟17b

My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

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.

My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Behold, you delight in sincerity of heart;

in secret you teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be pure;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Create a pure heart for me, O God;

renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence;

take not your holy spirit from me.

My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Restore in me the joy of your salvation;

sustain in me a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

My mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Gospel Acclamation
John 16:13a; 14:26d

Alleluia, alleluia.

When the Spirit of truth comes,

he will guide you into all the truth,

and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 10:16-23

‘It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father.’

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’

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

Universalis podcast: The week ahead – from 12 to 18 July

Blessed Inácio de Azevedo and his companions: the veneration of places. Saint Thérèse of Saint Augustine and her Companions: the tyranny of liberty, and how to change the course of history. The Second Edition of the U.S. Divine Office. (26 minutes)

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.