THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading Isaiah 58:6-11

10. then the reader goes to the ambo and reads the First Reading, while all sit and listen.

A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the Lord:
This is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking off every yoke?
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry,
bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: "Here I am!"
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the accusing finger, and malicious speech;
If you lavish your food on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then your light shall rise in the darkness,
and your gloom shall become like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always
and satisfy your thirst in parched places,
will give strength to your bones
And you shall be like a watered garden,
like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.
To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:
The word of the Lord.
All reply:

Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

11. The psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.

R. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.

R. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.

R. Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.
Second Readings 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 or 13:4-13

12. After this, if there is to be a Second Reading, a reader reads it from the ambo, as above.

A reading from the book of Corinthians

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
but I shall show you a still more excellent way.
If I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love,
I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice
over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:

The word of the Lord.

All reply:

Thanks be to God.
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a

13. There follows the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires.

Commentator:

Please all stand for the Gospel acclamation.

15. The Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with
incense and candles. There he says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

and, at the same time, he makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and on his forehead, lips,

and breast.

The people acclaim:

Glory to you, O Lord.

Then the Deacon, or the Priest, incenses the book, if incense is used, and proclaims the Gospel.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat
down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and
be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
16. 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.