Readings for Thursday 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Year 2

First Reading
Eccl 1:2–11

Nothing is new under the sun.

A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasties

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
   vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
What profit has man from all the labor
   which he toils at under the sun?
One generation passes and another comes,
   but the world forever stays.
The sun rises and the sun goes down;
   then it presses on to the place where it rises.
Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north,
   the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds.
All rivers go to the sea,
   yet never does the sea become full.
To the place where they go,
   the rivers keep on going.
All speech is labored;
   there is nothing one can say.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing
   nor is the ear satisfied with hearing.

What has been, that will be;
   what has been done, that will be done.
Nothing is new under the sun.
Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!”
   has already existed in the ages that preceded us.
There is no remembrance of the men of old;
   nor of those to come will there be any remembrance
   among those who come after them.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17bc

R. :

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You turn man back to dust,
   saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
   are as yesterday, now that it is past,
   or as a watch of the night.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

You make an end of them in their sleep;
   the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
   but by evening wilts and fades.

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Teach us to number our days aright,
   that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O Lord! How long?
   Have pity on your servants!

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
   that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
   Prosper the work of our hands for us!
   Prosper the work of our hands!

R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Year 1

First Reading
Hg 1:1-8

Build the house that I may take pleasure in it.

A reading from the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Haggai

On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
   to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
   and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:

Thus says the LORD of hosts: 
   This people says:
   “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
   Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
   while this house lies in ruins?

      Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
      Consider your ways!
   You have sown much, but have brought in little;
      you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
   You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
      have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
   And whoever earned wages
      earned them for a bag with holes in it.

         Thus says the LORD of hosts:
   Consider your ways!
      Go up into the hill country;
      bring timber, and build the house
   That I may take pleasure in it
      and receive my glory, says the LORD.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a And 9b

R. :

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.

Sing to the LORD a new song
   of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
   let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
   let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
   and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let the faithful exult in glory;
   let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
   This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.


Gospel Acclamation
Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Lk 9:7-9

John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
   and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
   “John has been raised from the dead”;
   others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
   still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

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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