Readings for Monday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Year 2

First Reading
Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5

His name and his Father’s name are written on their foreheads.

A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion,
   and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
   who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
I heard a sound from heaven
   like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder.
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne,
   before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand
   who had been ransomed from the earth.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
They have been ransomed as the first fruits
   of the human race for God and the Lamb.
On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. :

R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
   the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
   and established it upon the rivers.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
   who desires not what is vain.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
   a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
   that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face

Year 1

First Reading
Dn 1:1-6, 8-20

None were found equal to Daniel.

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

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
   King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
   and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
   and some of the vessels of the temple of God,
   which he carried off to the land of Shinar,
   and placed in the temple treasury of his god.

The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
   to bring in some of the Israelites of royal blood
   and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
   handsome, intelligent and wise,
   quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
   such as could take their place in the king’s palace;
   they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
   after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
   Mishael, and Azariah.

But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
   with the king’s food or wine;
   so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
   of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
   “I am afraid of my lord the king;
   it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
   by comparison with the other young men of your age,
   you will endanger my life with the king.”
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
   had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
   “Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
   who eat from the royal table,
   and treat your servants according to what you see.”
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
   after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
   than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
   the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
   in all literature and science,
   and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
   the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
   none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
   Mishael, and Azariah;
   and so they entered the king’s service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
   he found them ten times better
   than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.


Responsorial Psalm
Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R. :

R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of our fathers,
   praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
   praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
   praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
   praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you who look into the depths
   from your throne upon the cherubim,
   praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!

“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
   praiseworthy and glorious forever.”

R. Glory and praise for ever!


Gospel Acclamation
Mt 24:42a, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Lk 21:1-4

He noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
   putting their offerings into the treasury
   and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
   this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
   for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
   but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

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




2 comments

Leave a Reply