…….Fresco at left: .....The Pharisee
and the Publican. .....A baroque fresco in Ottobeuren
Basilica. …..” Two people went up
to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax
collector. “ (Luke 18:9)
The first reading is
from the Prophet Sirach, chapter 35, verses 12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet
he hears the cry of the oppressed. The
Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out
her complaint. The one who serves God
willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it
does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High
responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Responsorial Psalm
34, verses 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry
of the poor.
I will bless the
LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts
the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close
to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The second reading is
from the Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 6-8, 16-18
Beloved:
I am already being
poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits
me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only
to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The alleluia is
from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling
the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel of Saint Luke,
chapter 18, verses 9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of
their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up
to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax
collector. The Pharisee took up his position and
spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest
of humanity --greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O
God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell
you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself
will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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