Responsorial Psalm
With resolve I waited for the Lord;
he listened and heard me beg.
Out of the horrid pit he drew me,
out of deadly quicksand.
He settled my feet upon a rock
and made my steps steady.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and be awed
and put their trust in the Lord.
Though I am afflicted and poor,
yet the Lord thinks of me.
You are my help and my saviour
O Lord, do not delay!
2nd. READING (Heb 12,1-4)
What a cloud of innumerable witnesses surround us! So let us be rid of every
encumbrance, and especially of sin, to persevere in running the race marked out before
us. Let us look to Jesus the founder of our faith, who will bring it to completion. For
the sake of the joy reserved for him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and then
sat at the right of the throne of God. Think of Jesus who suffered so many
contradictions from evil people, and you will not be discouraged or grow weary. Have
you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to bring fire upon the earth and how I wish it
were already kindled; but I have a baptism to undergo and what anguish I feel until it
is over! Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but
rather division. From now on, in one house five will be divided; three against two, and
two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father;
mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her
daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
