Responsorial Psalm
Have mercy on me, O God, in your love.
In your great compassion blot out my sin.
Wash me thoroughly of my guilt;
cleanse me of evil.
Create in me, O God, a pure heart;
give me a new and steadfast spirit.
Do not cast me out of your presence
nor take your holy spirit from me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and I will declare your praise.
O God, my sacrifice is a broken spirit;
a contrite heart you will not despise.
2nd. READING (1 Tim 1, 12-17)
I give thanks to Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is my strength, who has considered me
trustworthy and appointed me to his service, although I had been a blasphemer, a
persecutor and a rabid enemy. However he took mercy on me because I did not
know what I was doing when I opposed the faith; and the grace of our Lord was more
than abundant, together with faith and Christian love. This saying is true and worthy of
belief: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
Because of that I was forgiven; Christ Jesus wanted to display his greatness in me so
that I might be an example for all who are to believe and obtain eternal life. To the
King of ages, the only God who lives beyond every perishable and visible creation - to
him be honour and glory forever. Amen!
Gospel
Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them
eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this,
muttering. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus told them this
parable: "Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and seek out the lost one till he finds it? And
finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders? Then he will call his
friends and neighbours together and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found my lost
sheep.' I tell you, just so, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant
sinner than over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent. What woman, if she
has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp and sweep the house in a
thorough search till she finds the lost coin? And finding it, she will call her friends and
neighbours and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found the silver coin I lost!' I tell
you, in the same way there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant
sinner."
