First Reading
Ex 17, 8-13
When the Israelites were at Rephidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. So
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites in
the morning. As for me, I will stand with God's staff in my hand at the top of the hill."
Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had directed, while Moses, Aaron and Hur
went to the top of the hill. It happened that when Moses raised his hands, the Israelites
would win but when he lowered them, the Amalekites would have the advantage. As
Moses' arms grew weary they placed a stone for him to sit on while Aaron and Hur on
either side held up his arms which remained steadily raised until sunset. For his part
Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the sword.
Responsorial Psalm
I lift up my eyes to the mountains
from where shall come my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.
Will he not let your foot slip,
the one watching over you?
Will he not slumber?
No, the guardian of Israel
neither slumbers nor sleeps.
The Lord is your guardian,
the Lord is at your side
and you in his shade;
Sunstroke will not be for you by day,
nor the spell of the moon by night.
The Lord guards you from every evil;
he will protect your life.
The Lord watches
over your coming and going
both now and forever.
Second Reading
2 Tim 3,14-4,2
As for you, continue with what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you,
knowing from whom you received it. Besides, you have known the Scriptures from
childhood; they will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, refuting error, for
correcting and training in Christian life. Through Scripture the man of God is made
expert and thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by the hope I have of his
coming and his kingdom, I urge you to preach the Word, in season and out of season,
reproving, rebuking or advising, always with patience and providing instruction.
Gospel
Lk 18,1-8
Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should pray continually and not lose
heart. He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor
people. In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, saying: 'Defend my
rights against my opponent.' For a time he refused, but finally he thought: 'Even
though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will
see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out." And Jesus
explained, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen
ones who cry to him day and night even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he
will speedily do them justice. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on
earth?"