Readings Wednesday 11th Week In Ordinary Time

Year 1

First Reading
2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14

A flaming chariot came between them and Elijah went up to heaven.

A reading from the second Book of Kings

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
   he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here;
   the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
   I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
And so the two went on together.
Fifty of the guild prophets followed and
   when the two stopped at the Jordan,
   they stood facing them at a distance.
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up
   and struck the water, which divided,
   and both crossed over on dry ground.
 
When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
   “Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
“Still, if you see me taken up from you,
   your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”
As they walked on conversing,
   a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them,
   and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When Elisha saw it happen he cried out,
   “My father! my father! Israel’s chariots and drivers!”
But when he could no longer see him,
   Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
 
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him,
   and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan.
Wielding the mantle that had fallen from Elijah,
   Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
   “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 31:20, 21, 24

R. :

R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O LORD,
   which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
   you show in the sight of the children of men.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence
   from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
   from the strife of tongues.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
   The LORD keeps those who are constant,
   but more than requites those who act proudly.

R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Year II

First Reading
2 Cor 9:6-11

God loves a cheerful giver.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters, consider this:
   whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
   and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
   for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
   so that in all things, always having all you need,
   you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:

   He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
      his righteousness endures forever.


The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
   will supply and multiply your seed
   and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

You are being enriched in every way for all generosity,
   which through us produces thanksgiving to God.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 9

R. :

R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
   who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
   the upright generation shall be blessed.

R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
   his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
   he is gracious and merciful and just.

R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor;
   his generosity shall endure forever;
   his horn shall be exalted in glory.

R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.


Gospel Acclamation
Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
   in order that people may see them;
   otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
   as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
   to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
   do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
   so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
   who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
   so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
   and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
   so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
   so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
   except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.


Homilies / Gospel Reflections





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