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Friday, 7 March 2025
Friday after Ash Wednesday
 Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Antiphons on page 1579 and Readings page 192 of the Daily Missal

First Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-9a

Thus says the Lord God:
 “Cry aloud, spare not,
 lift up your voice like a trumpet;
 declare to my people their transgression,
 to the house of Jacob their sins.
 Yet they seek me daily,
 and delight to know my ways,
 as if they were a nation that did righteousness
 and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
 they ask of me righteous judgments,
 they delight to draw near to God.
 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
 Why have we humbled ourselves, 
 and you take no knowledge of it?’
 Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, 
 and oppress all your workers.
 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
 and to hit with wicked fist.
 Fasting like yours this day
 will not make your voice to be heard on high.
 Is such the fast that I choose,
 a day for a person to humble himself?
 Is it to bow down his head like a rush,
 and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
 Will you call this a fast,
 and a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
 to loose the bonds of wickedness,
 to undo the thongs of the yoke,
 to let the oppressed go free,
 and to break every yoke?
 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
 and bring the homeless poor into your house;
 when you see the naked, to cover them,
 and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
 and your healing shall spring up speedily;
 your righteousness shall go before you,
 the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
 you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am.

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 51:3-4.5-6ab.18-19 (R. 19bc)

R/.  A broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Have mercy on me, O God,
 according to your merciful love;
 according to your great compassion, 
 blot out my transgressions.
 Wash me completely from my iniquity,
 and cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions, truly I know them;
 my sin is always before me.
 Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
 what is evil in your sight I have done.

For in sacrifice you take no delight;
 burnt offering from me would not please you.
 My sacrifice to God, a broken spirit:
 a broken and humbled heart,
 O God, you will not spurn.   

R./  A broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

At that time: 
 The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, 
 “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, 
 but your disciples do not fast?” 

And Jesus said to them, 
 “Can the wedding guests mourn 
 as long as the bridegroom is with them? 
 The days will come, 
 when the bridegroom is taken away from them, 
 and then they will fast. 

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Thursday, 6 March 2025
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Antiphons and Readings page 190 of the Daily Missal

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses spoke to the people saying: 
 “See, I have set before you this day 
 life and good, death and evil. 
 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God
which I command you this day, by loving the Lord your God, 
 by walking in his ways, 
 and by keeping his commandments 
 and his statutes and his ordinances, 
 then you shall live and multiply, 
 and the Lord your God will bless you 
 in the land which you are entering to take possession of it. 
 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, 
 but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 
 I declare to you this day, that you shall perish; 
 you shall not live long in the land 
 which you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 
 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, 
 that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; 
 therefore choose life, 
 that you and your descendants may live, 
 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; 
 for that means life to you and length of days, 
 that you may dwell in the land 
 which the Lord swore to your ancestors, 
 to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 
 to give them.”

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 1:1-2.3.4 and 6 (R. 40:5ab)

R/. Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Blessed indeed is the man
 who follows not the counsel of the wicked,
 nor stands in the path with sinners,
 nor abides in the company of scorners,
 but whose delight is the law of the Lord,
 and who ponders his law day and night.

He is like a tree that is planted
 beside the flowing waters,
 that yields its fruit in due season,
 and whose leaves shall never fade;
 and all that he does shall prosper.

Not so are the wicked not so!

For they, like winnowed chaff,

shall be driven away by the wind.
 For the Lord knows the way of the just,
 but the way of the wicked will perish.  
R/. Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Gospel: Luke 9: 22-25

At that time: 
 Jesus said to his disciples, 
 “The Son of man must suffer many things, 
 and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, 
 and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

And he said to all, 
 “If any one would come after me, 
 let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 
 For whoever would save his life will lose it; 
 and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 
 For what does it profit a person if he gains the whole world 
 and loses or forfeits himself? 

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Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Ash Wednesday – A,B,C
Antiphons and Readings on p.185 of the Daily Missal and p. 84 of the Sunday Missal.

First Reading: Joel 2:12-18

“Even now,” says the Lord,
 “return to me with all your heart,
 with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
 and tear your hearts and not your garments.”
 Return to the Lord, your God,
 for he is gracious and merciful,
 slow to anger, and abounding in mercy,
 and repents of evil.
 Who knows whether he will not turn and repent,
 and leave a blessing behind him,
 a cereal offering and a drink offering
 for the Lord, your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
 sanctify a fast;
 call a solemn assembly;
 gather the people.
 Sanctify the congregation;
 assemble the elders;
 gather the children,
 even nursing infants.
 Let the bridegroom leave his room,
 and the bride her chamber.

Between the vestibule and the altar
 let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
 and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
 and make not your heritage a reproach,
 a byword among the nations.
 Why should they say among the peoples,
 ‘Where is their God?’”
 Then the Lord became jealous for his land,
 and had pity on his people.

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 51:3-4.5-6ab.12-13.14 and 17 (R. cf. 3a)

R./  Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, 
 according to your merciful love;
 according to your great compassion,
 blot out my transgressions.
 Wash me completely from my iniquity, 
 and cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions, truly I know them; 
 my sin is always before me.
 Against you, you alone, Have I sinned;
 what is evil in your sight I have done.

Create a pure heart for me, O God; 
 renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me away from your presence;
 take not your holy spirit from me.

Restore in me the joy of your salvation;
 sustain in me a willing spirit.
 O Lord, open my lips 
 and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. 

 R./ 

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6.16-18

At that time:  
 Jesus said to his disciples  
 “Beware of practicing your piety before people 
 in order to be seen by them; 
 for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Thus, when you give alms, 
 sound no trumpet before you, 
 as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, 
 that they may be praised by others. 
 Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 
 But when you give alms, 
 do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 
 so that your alms may be in secret; 
 and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, 
 you must not be like the hypocrites; 
 for they love to stand and pray 
 in the synagogues and at the street corners, 
 that they may be seen by others. 
 Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 
 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door 
 and pray to your Father who is in secret; 
 and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, 
 for they disfigure their faces 
 that their fasting may be seen by others. 
 Truly, I say t

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Tuesday, 04 March 2025
Tuesday, Eighth week of Ordinary Time
Antiphons on p.869 and Readings on p.878 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Sirach 35: 1-12

He who keeps the law makes many offerings;
     he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
 He who returns a kindness offers fine flour,
     and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
 To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,
     and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.
 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
     for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
 The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar,
     and its pleasing odour rises before the Most High.
 The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable,
     and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
 Glorify the Lord generously,
     and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
 With every gift show a cheerful face,
     and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
 Give to the Most High as he has given,
     and as generously as your hand has found.
 For the Lord is the one who repays,
     and he will repay you sevenfold.

Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;
     and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice;
 for the Lord is the judge,
     and with him is no partiality.

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 50:5-6.7-8.14 and 23 (R. 23bc)

R./ To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God.

“Gather my holy ones to me,
 who made covenant with me by sacrifice.”
 The heavens proclaim his justice,
 for he, God, is the judge.

“Listen, my people, I will speak;
 Israel, I will testify against you,
 for I am God, your God.
 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices;
 your offerings are always before me.”

“Give your praise as a sacrifice to God,
 and fulfil your vows to the Most High.
 A sacrifice of praise gives me honour,
 and to one whose way is blameless,
 I will show the salvation of God.”  

R./ To one whose way is blameless, I will show the salvation of God.

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

At that time:  
 Peter began to say to Jesus, 
 “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.” 

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, 
 there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters 
 or mother or father or children or lands, 
 for my sake and for the gospel, 
 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, 
 houses and brothers and sisters 
 and mothers and children and lands, 
 with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 
 But many that are first will be last, 
 and the last first.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Monday, 3 March 2025
Monday, Eighth week of Ordinary Time, Year 1
Antiphons on p.869 and  Readings on p.875 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Sirach 17: 24-29

To those who repent, God grants a return,
     and he encourages those whose endurance is failing,

    and he has appointed to them the lot of truth.
 Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins;
     pray in his presence and lessen your offenses.
 Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, 
     and hate abominations intensely.
 Know the justice and the judgements of God,
     and stand firm the lot that is set before you, 
 in prayer to God the Almighty. 

Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades,
     as do those who are alive and give thanks?

Tarry not in the waywardness of the ungodly,
     and give thanks before death.
 From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased;
     he who is alive and well sings the Lord’s praises.
 How great is the mercy of the Lord,
     and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 32:1-2.3.4.5 (R. 11a)

R./  Rejoice in the Lord, exult you just!

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
 whose sin is remitted.
 Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,
 in whose spirit is no guile.

To you I have acknowledged my sin;
 my guilt I did not hide.
 I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord.”
 And you have forgiven the guilt of my sin.

So let each faithful one pray to you 
 in the time of need.
 The floods of water may reach high,
 but such a one they shall not reach.

You are a hiding place for me;
 you keep me safe from distress;
 you surround me with cries of deliverance.

R./  Rejoice in the Lord, exult you just!

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

At that time:  
 As Jesus was setting out on his journey, 
 a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, 
 “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

And Jesus said to him, 
 “Why do you call me good? 
 No one is good but God alone. 
 You know the commandments: 
 ‘Do not kill, 
 Do not commit adultery, 
 Do not steal, 
 Do not bear false witness, 
 Do not defraud, 
 Honour your father and mother.’” 

And he said to him, “Teacher, 
 all these I have observed from my youth.” 

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, 
 and said to him, “You lack one thing; 
 go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, 
 and you will have treasure in heaven; 
 and come, follow me.” 

At that saying his countenance fell, 
 and he went away sorrowful; 
 for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 
 “How hard it will be for those who have riches 
 to enter the kingdom of God!” 
 And the disciples were amazed at his words. 
 But Jesus said to them again, 
 “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches 
 to enter the kingdom of God! 
 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 
 than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, 
 “Then who can be saved?” 

Jesus looked at them and said, 
&nbs

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Sunday, 2 March 2025
Sunday, Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
 Antiphons on p. 869  and Readings on p. 873  and of the Daily Missal and p. 903 in the Sunday Missal

First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains;
 so a person’s filth remains in his thoughts.
 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
 so the test of just people is in tribulation.  

The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
 so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation 
 of a person’s mind.
 Do not praise a person before you hear him speak,
 for this is the test of maturity.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 92:1-2.12-13.14-15 (R. see 1a)

R/: It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord.
It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord,
 to make music to your name, O Most High,
 to proclaim your loving mercy in the morning,
 and your truth in the watches of the night.The just will flourish like the palm tree,
 and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
 Planted in the house of the Lord,
 they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit when they are old,
 still full of sap, still green,
 to proclaim that the Lord is upright.
 In him, my rock, there is no wrong.

R/: It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58

Brothers and sisters:  

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, 
 and the mortal puts on immortality, 
 then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
 “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
 “O death, where is your victory? 
 O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, 
 and the power of sin is the law. 
 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory 
 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, 
 be steadfast, immovable, 
 always abounding in the work of the Lord, 
 knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain..

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

At that time:  
 Jesus told his disciples a parable: 
 “Can a blind man lead a blind man? 
 Will they not both fall into a pit? 
 A disciple is not above his teacher, 
 but every one when he is fully taught 
 will be like his teacher. 
 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, 
 but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 
 Or how can you say to your brother, 
 ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ 
 when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? 
 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, 
 and then you will see clearly 
 to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, 
 nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 
 for each tree is known by its own fruit. 
 For figs are not gathered from thorns, 
 nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 
 The good person 
 out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, 
 and the evil person
 out of his evil treasure produces evil; 
 for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

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Saturday, 1 March 2025
Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year I
 Mass of Our Lady 
Antiphons on p. 1863 (CBVM #4) and Readings on p. 866 of the Daily Missal 

First Reading: Sirach 17: 1-13

The Lord created man out of earth,
 an made him into his own image;
     he turned him back into earth again,
 but clothed him in strength like his own.
 He gave to men few days, a limited time,
     but granted them authority over the things upon the earth. 
 He placed the fear of them in all flesh,
     and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.
 He made for them discretion, with a tongue and eyes and ears;
     he gave them a mind for thinking
 and filled them with the discipline of discernment.
 He created in them the knowledge og the spirit;
 he filled their hearts with understanding,
     and showed them good and evil.
 He placed the fear of him in their hearts
     showing them the majesty of his works. 
 He made them glory in his wondrous deeds,
 the they might praise his holy name,
     to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
 He bestowed knowledge upon them,
     and allotted to them the law of life.
 He established with them an eternal covenant,
     and showed them his justice and his judgments.
 Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
     and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
 And he said to them,
 “Beware of all unrighteousness.”
 And he gave commandment to each of them
 concerning his neighbour.
 Their ways are always before him, 
 they will not be hid from his eyes.

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 103:13-14.15-16.17-18a (R. see 17ab)

R/.  The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

As a father has compassion on his children,
 the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
 For he knows of what we are made;
 he remembers that we are dust.

Man, his days are like grass;
 he flowers like the flower of the field.
 The wind blows, and it is no more,
 and its place never sees it again.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting
 upon those who hold him in fear,
 upon children’s children his justice,
 for those who keep his covenant.  

R/.  The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

At that time: 
 They were bringing children to Jesus, 
 that he might touch them; 
 and the disciples rebuked them. 
 But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, 
 “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; 
 for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 
 Truly, I say to you,
 whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child 
 shall not enter it.” 
 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, 
 laying his hands upon them.

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Friday, 28 February 2025
Friday of Seventh Week of Ordinary Time – Year I
 Antiphons on p. 846 and Readings on p. 864 and of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Sirach 6: 5-17

A pleasant voice multiplies friends and softens enemies,
     and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
 Let those that are at peace with you be many,
     but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
 When you gain a friend, gain him through testing,
     and do not trust him hastily.
 For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience,
     but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

And there is a friend who changes into an enemy,
     and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.
 And there is a friend who is a table companion,
     but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
 In your prosperity he will make himself your equal,
     and be bold with your servants;
 but if you are brought low he will turn against you,
     and will hide himself from your presence.
 Keep yourself far from your enemies,
     and be on guard toward your friends.

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter:
     he that has found one has found a treasure.
 There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend,
     and no scales can measure his excellence.
 A faithful friend is an elixir of life;
     and those who fear the Lord will find him.
 Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright,
     for as he is, so is his neighbour also.

Responsorial psalm: Ps 119: 12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35 (R. 35a)

R/.  Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Blest are you, O Lord;
 teach me your statutes.

I take delight in your statues;
 I will not forget your word.

Open my eyes, that I may see
 the wonders of your law.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts,
 and I will ponder your wonders.

Grant me insight that I may keep your law,
 and observe it wholeheartedly.

Guide me in the path of your commands;
 for in them is my delight.

R/.  Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Gospel: Mark10:1-12

At that time:
 Jesus went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan,
 and crowds gathered to him again;
 and again, as his custom was, he taught them. 

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, 
 “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 
 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 
 They said, 
 “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, 
 and to put her away.” 

But Jesus said to them,
 “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.
 But from the beginning of creation,
 ‘God made them male and female.’
 ‘For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother
 and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.’
 So they are no longer two but one flesh.
What therefore God has joined together,
 let not man put asunder.”
And in the house, 
 the disciples asked him again about this matter. 
 And he said to them, 
 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, 
 commits adultery against her; 
 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, 
 she commits adultery.”

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Thursday, 27 February 2025
Thursday in Seventh Week of Ordinary Time – Year I
 Antiphons on p. 846 and Readings on p. 861 of the Daily Missal.

First Reading: Sirach 5: 1-8

Do not set your heart on your wealth,
     nor say, “I have enough.”
 Do not follow your inclination and strength,
     walking according to the desires of your heart.
 Do not say, “Who will have power over me?” or
 “Who will bring me down because of my deeds?”
     for God will surely punish you.

Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?”
     for the Most High is slow to anger.
 Do not be so confident of atonement
     that you add sin to sin.
 Do not say, “His mercy is great,
     he will forgive the multitude of my sins,”
 for both mercy and wrath are with him,
     and his anger rests on sinners.
 Do not delay to turn to the Lord,
     nor postpone it from day to day;
 for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will go forth,
     and at the time of punishment you will perish.

Do not depend on dishonest wealth,
     for it will not benefit you in the day of calamity.

Responsorial psalm: Ps 1: 1-2, 3-4 and 6 (R. Ps 40:5ab)

R./ Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Blessed indeed is the man
 who follows not the counsel of the wicked,
 nor stands in the path with sinners,
 nor abides in the company of scorners,
 but whose delight is the law of the law of the Lord,
 and who ponders his law day and night.

He is like a tree that is planted
 beside the flowing waters,
 that yields its fruit in due season,
 and whose leaves shall never fade;
 and all that he does shall prosper.

Not so are the wicked, not so!
 For they, like winnowed chaff,
 shall be driven away by the wind.
 For the Lord knows the way of the just,
 but the way of the wicked will perish.  

R./ Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Gospel: Mark 9:41-50

At that time: 
 Jesus said to his disciples, 
 “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink 
 because you bear the name of Christ, 
 will by no means lose his reward. 

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, 
 it would be better for him 
 if a great millstone were hung around his neck 
 and he were thrown into the sea. 

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off;
 it is better for you to enter life maimed
 than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off;
 it is better for you to enter life lame
 than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out;
 it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
 than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
where their worm does not die, 
 and the fire is not quenched. 
 For everyone will be salted with fire. 
 Salt is good; 
 but if the salt has lost its saltness, 
 how will you season it? 
 Have salt in yourselves, 
 and be at peace with one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Wednesday of Seventh Week in Ordinary Tims – Year I
 Antiphons on p.846 and Readings on p. 859 of the Daily Missal.

Entrance Antiphon:  Ps 12:6
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love.  Let my heart rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.

First Reading: Sirach 4: 11-19

A reading from the Book of Sirach.

Wisdom breathes life into her sons
     and gives help to those who seek her.
 Whoever loves her loves life,
     and those who seek her early will win the Lord’s good favour.
 Whoever holds her fast will obtain glory,
     and the Lord will bless the place she enters.
 Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One; 
     the Lord loves those who love her.
 He who obeys her will judge the nations,
     and whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure.
 If he has faith in her he will obtain her;
     and his descendants will remain in possession of her.
 For she will walk with him in disguise,
 and at first she will put him to the test;
     she will bring fear and cowardice upon him,
 and will torment him by her discipline
     until he holds her in his thoughts, and she trusts him.
 Then she will come straight back to him and strengthen him,
     she will gladden him and will reveal her secrets to him,
 and store up for him knowledge and the discernment of what is right.
 But if he goes astray she will forsake him,
     and give him over into the hands of his foe.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial psalm: Ps 119:165.168.171.172.174.175

R:/ The lovers of your law have great peace, Lord.

The lovers of your law have great peace;
 no stumbling block for them.

I obey your precepts and decrees;
 all my ways are before you.

My lips shall proclaim your praise,
 because you teach me your statutes.

My tongue will sing of your promise,
 for your commands are just.

I have longed for your salvation, O Lord,
 and your law is my delight.

My soul shall live and praise you.
 Your judgements give me help.

R:/ The lovers of your law have great peace, Lord.

Alleluia, Alleluia.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, but by me.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Mark 9: 38-40

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

At that time: 
 John said to Jesus, 
 “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, 
 and we forbade him because he was not following us.” 

But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him; 
 for no one who does a mighty work in my name 
 will be able soon after to speak evil of me. 
 For those who are not against us are for us.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Ps 9: 2-3
All your wonders I will recount.  I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.