Readings at Mass

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

First reading
Daniel 3:25, 34-43

‘With a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted.’

In those days: Azariah stood and offered this prayer, in the midst of the fire he opened his mouth and said: ‘For your name’s sake do not give us up utterly and do not break your covenant and do not withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham your beloved and for the sake of Isaac your servant and Israel your holy one, to whom you promised to make their descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the shore of the sea. For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any nation and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins. And at this time there is no prince or prophet or leader, no whole burnt offering or sacrifice or oblation or incense, no place to make an offering before you or to find mercy. Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with whole burnt offerings of rams and bulls and with tens of thousands of fat lambs; such may our sacrifice be in your sight this day, and may it accomplish after you, for there will be no shame for those who trust in you. And now with all our heart we follow you, we fear you and seek your face. Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in your forbearance and in your abundant mercy. Deliver us in accordance with your marvellous works and give glory to your name, O Lord!’

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 25(24):4-5b. 6-7. 8-9. ℟6a

Remember your compassion, O Lord.

O Lord, make me know your ways.

Teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth, and teach me;

for you are the God of my salvation.

Remember your compassion, O Lord.

Remember your compassion, O Lord,

and your merciful love, for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth,

nor my transgressions.

In your merciful love remember me,

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your compassion, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he shows the way to sinners.

He guides the humble in right judgement;

to the humble he teaches his way.

The middle two lines of the middle verse of this psalm, “Do not remember… my transgressions”, are not part of the liturgy for today. The liturgical books published for Great Britain have inserted them as a result of a clerical error.

Remember your compassion, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation	Joel 2:12-13

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

Even now, says the Lord,

return to me with all your heart,

for I am gracious and merciful.

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

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-35

‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.’

At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

‘Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.” So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’

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

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.