Traditional Latin Mass Gospel Readings

1 And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:
Et respondens Jesus, dixit iterum in parabolis eis, dicens :

 2 The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son.
Simile factum est regnum caelorum homini regi, qui fecit nuptias filio suo.

 3 And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come.
Et misit servos suos vocare invitatos ad nuptias, et nolebant venire.

 4 Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.
Iterum misit alios servos, dicens : Dicite invitatis : Ecce prandium meum paravi, tauri mei et altilia occisa sunt, et omnia parata : venite ad nuptias.

 5 But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise.
Illi autem neglexerunt : et abierunt, alius in villam suam, alius vero ad negotiationem suam :

 6 And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.
reliqui vero tenuerunt servos ejus, et contumeliis affectos occiderunt.

 7 But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.
Rex autem cum audisset, iratus est : et missis exercitibus suis, perdidit homicidas illos, et civitatem illorum succendit.

 8 Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.
Tunc ait servis suis : Nuptiae quidem paratae sunt, sed qui invitati erant, non fuerunt digni :

 9 Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.
ite ergo ad exitus viarum, et quoscumque inveneritis, vocate ad nuptias.

 10 And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.
Et egressi servi ejus in vias, congregaverunt omnes quos invenerunt, malos et bonos : et impletae sunt nuptiae discumbentium.

 11 And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.
Intravit autem rex ut viderent discumbentes, et vidit ibi hominem non vestitum veste nuptiali.

 12 And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent.
Et ait illi : Amice, quomodo huc intrasti non habens vestem nuptialem? At ille obmutavit.

 13 Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Tunc dicit rex ministris : Ligatis manibus et pedibus ejus, mittite eum in tenebras exteriores : ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium.

 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.

St Placid was committed by his father Tertullus to the care of St Benedict, when he was four years old. St Benedict later sent him into Sicily. In Sicily he was murdered with his monks, out of hatred for the Faith, by heathen pirates in 541, A.D.

St Placid had on his wedding garment, the nuptial robe of baptism, and he wasn't silent. He preached the Word of God.

1 And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:
Et respondens Jesus, dixit iterum in parabolis eis, dicens :

 2 The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son.
Simile factum est regnum caelorum homini regi, qui fecit nuptias filio suo.

 3 And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come.
Et misit servos suos vocare invitatos ad nuptias, et nolebant venire.

 4 Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.
Iterum misit alios servos, dicens : Dicite invitatis : Ecce prandium meum paravi, tauri mei et altilia occisa sunt, et omnia parata : venite ad nuptias.

 5 But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise.
Illi autem neglexerunt : et abierunt, alius in villam suam, alius vero ad negotiationem suam :

 6 And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.
reliqui vero tenuerunt servos ejus, et contumeliis affectos occiderunt.

 7 But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.
Rex autem cum audisset, iratus est : et missis exercitibus suis, perdidit homicidas illos, et civitatem illorum succendit.

 8 Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.
Tunc ait servis suis : Nuptiae quidem paratae sunt, sed qui invitati erant, non fuerunt digni :

 9 Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.
ite ergo ad exitus viarum, et quoscumque inveneritis, vocate ad nuptias.

 10 And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.
Et egressi servi ejus in vias, congregaverunt omnes quos invenerunt, malos et bonos : et impletae sunt nuptiae discumbentium.

 11 And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.
Intravit autem rex ut viderent discumbentes, et vidit ibi hominem non vestitum veste nuptiali.

 12 And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent.
Et ait illi : Amice, quomodo huc intrasti non habens vestem nuptialem? At ille obmutavit.

 13 Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Tunc dicit rex ministris : Ligatis manibus et pedibus ejus, mittite eum in tenebras exteriores : ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium.

 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.

The invitation is freely offered → the man accepts the invitation outwardly → but he doesn't respond appropriately inwardly.

God's invitation is extraordinarily generous, but He takes our response seriously.

1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?
In illa hora accesserunt discipuli ad Jesum, dicentes : Quis, putas, major est in regno caelorum?

 2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,
Et advocans Jesus parvulum, statuit eum in medio eorum,

 3 And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
et dixit : Amen dico vobis, nisi conversi fueritis, et efficiamini sicut parvuli, non intrabitis in regnum caelorum.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Quicumque ergo humiliaverit se sicut parvulus iste, hic est major in regno caelorum.

Marie-Francois Martin was born in Alencon. Her parents were most pious and endowed with a comfortable amount of the goods of this world. She entered into the Carmel of Lisieux at the age of fifteen. She lived there in holiness and humility. Her ambition was to love God perfectly and to conquer souls for Jesus. When she died there was an odour of sanctity. She promised to "spend her heaven in doing good upon earth" (1873-1897). His Holiness Pope Pius XI declared her Blessed on April 29th 1923 and canonised her on March 17, 1925.

1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?
In illa hora accesserunt discipuli ad Jesum, dicentes : Quis, putas, major est in regno caelorum?

 2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,
Et advocans Jesus parvulum, statuit eum in medio eorum,

 3 And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
et dixit : Amen dico vobis, nisi conversi fueritis, et efficiamini sicut parvuli, non intrabitis in regnum caelorum.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Quicumque ergo humiliaverit se sicut parvulus iste, hic est major in regno caelorum.

 5 And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
Et qui susceperit unum parvulum talem in nomine meo, me suscipit :

 6 But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.
qui autem scandalizaverit unum de pusillis istis, qui in me credunt, expedit ei ut suspendatur mola asinaria in collo ejus, et demergatur in profundum maris.

 7 Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.
Vae mundo a scandalis! Necesse est enim ut veniant scandala : verumtamen vae homini illi, per quem scandalum venit.

 8 And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
Si autem manus tua, vel pes tuus scandalizat te, abscide eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est ad vitam ingredi debilem, vel claudum, quam duas manus vel duos pedes habentem mitti in ignem aeternum.

 9 And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Et si oculus tuus scandalizat te, erue eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est cum uno oculo in vitam intrare, quam duos oculos habentem mitti in gehennam ignis.

 10 See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Videte ne contemnatis unum ex his pusillis : dico enim vobis, quia angeli eorum in caelis semper vident faciem Patris mei, qui in caelis est.

[6] "Shall scandalize": That is, shall put a stumblingblock in their way, and cause them to fall into sin.

[7] "It must needs be": Viz., considering the wickedness and corruption of the world.

[8] "Scandalize thee": That is, cause thee to offend.

Jesus is speaking figuratively. He is not telling us to physically mutilate ourselves, but to take sin so seriously that we are willing to remove anything from our lives that leads us away from God, even when it is very difficult—to avoid the near occasion of sin.God's love for us while giving us His Son, Jesus, for our Redeemer, and Mary for our Advocate; has also given us His Angels to be our guardians; "He hath give His Angels charge over thee: to keep thee in all they ways" (Ps 90.2). These holy angels and princes of heaven are always present with us and assist us in our actions. We ought to carefully refrain from every action which can displease them.

1 And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city.
Et ascendens in naviculam, transfretavit, et venit in civitatem suam.

 2 And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Et ecce offerebant ei paralyticum jacentem in lecto. Et videns Jesus fidem illorum, dixit paralytico : Confide fili, remittuntur tibi peccata tua.

 3 And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth.
Et ecce quidam de scribis dixerunt intra se : Hic blasphemat.

 4 And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Et cum vidisset Jesus cogitationes eorum, dixit : Ut quid cogitatis mala in cordibus vestris?

 5 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?
Quid est facilius dicere : Dimittuntur tibi peccata tua : an dicere : Surge, et ambula?

 6 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
Ut autem sciatis, quia Filius hominis habet potestatem in terra dimittendi peccata, tunc ait paralytico : Surge, tolle lectum tuum, et vade in domum tuam.

 7 And he arose, and went into his house.
Et surrexit, et abiit in domum suam.

 8 And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.
Videntes autem turbae timuerunt, et glorificaverunt Deum, qui dedit potestatem talem hominibus.

St Remigius was Bishop of Rheims, in France. He converted the Merovingian king Clovis and the Frankish nation. He died 534 A.D.

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
Vos estis sal terrae. Quod si sal evanuerit, in quo salietur? ad nihilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittatur foras, et conculcetur ab hominibus.

 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita,

 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
neque accedunt lucernam, et ponunt eam sub modio, sed super candelabrum, ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt.

 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus : ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum, qui in caelis est.

 17 Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Nolite putare quoniam veni solvere legem, aut prophetas : non veni solvere, sed adimplere.

 18 For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.
Amen quippe dico vobis, donec transeat caelum et terra, jota unum aut unus apex non praeteribit a lege, donec omnia fiant.

 19 He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Qui ergo solverit unum de mandatis istis minimis, et docuerit sic homines, minimus vocabitur in regno caelorum : qui autem fecerit et docuerit, hic magnus vocabitur in regno caelorum.

[17] "To fulfill": By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.

[18] "Amen": That is, assuredly of a truth. This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.

St Jerome was born in Dalmatia, and educated in Rome, but he was soon led into the gravest disorders. He was inspried by heaven and was converted and became one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, famous for his translation into Latin (the Vulgate) of the Holy Scriptures. He retired into a monastery at Bethlehem and died in 420 A.D.

1 At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?
In illa hora accesserunt discipuli ad Jesum, dicentes : Quis, putas, major est in regno caelorum?

 2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,
Et advocans Jesus parvulum, statuit eum in medio eorum,

 3 And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
et dixit : Amen dico vobis, nisi conversi fueritis, et efficiamini sicut parvuli, non intrabitis in regnum caelorum.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Quicumque ergo humiliaverit se sicut parvulus iste, hic est major in regno caelorum.

 5 And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
Et qui susceperit unum parvulum talem in nomine meo, me suscipit :

 6 But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.
qui autem scandalizaverit unum de pusillis istis, qui in me credunt, expedit ei ut suspendatur mola asinaria in collo ejus, et demergatur in profundum maris.

 7 Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh.
Vae mundo a scandalis! Necesse est enim ut veniant scandala : verumtamen vae homini illi, per quem scandalum venit.

 8 And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
Si autem manus tua, vel pes tuus scandalizat te, abscide eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est ad vitam ingredi debilem, vel claudum, quam duas manus vel duos pedes habentem mitti in ignem aeternum.

 9 And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Et si oculus tuus scandalizat te, erue eum, et projice abs te : bonum tibi est cum uno oculo in vitam intrare, quam duos oculos habentem mitti in gehennam ignis.

 10 See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Videte ne contemnatis unum ex his pusillis : dico enim vobis, quia angeli eorum in caelis semper vident faciem Patris mei, qui in caelis est.

[6] "Shall scandalize": That is, shall put a stumblingblock in their way, and cause them to fall into sin.

[7] "It must needs be": Viz., considering the wickedness and corruption of the world.

[8] "Scandalize thee": That is, cause thee to offend.

Jesus uses strong, figurative language here to teach us how seriously we must take sin. He is not telling us literally to mutilate ourselves. Rather, we must be willing to remove anything from our lives that leads us away from God, even when giving it up is difficult or painful.

“Their angels always see the face of my Father”

This is one of the most beautiful lines:

“See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

This is one of the biblical foundations for the Christian understanding of guardian angels.

Notice the reason Jesus gives for not despising these little ones: they are precious before God.

The person whom the world might overlook is not overlooked by God.

34 Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.Nolite arbitrari quia pacem venerim mittere in terram : non veni pacem mittere, sed gladium :

 35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.veni enim separare hominem adversus patrem suum, et filiam adversus matrem suam, et nurum adversus socrum suam :

 36 And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.et inimici hominis, domestici ejus.

 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.Qui amat patrem aut matrem plus quam me, non est me dignus : et qui amat filium aut filiam super me, non est me dignus.

 38 And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.Et qui non accipit crucem suam, et sequitur me, non est me dignus.

 39 He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.Qui invenit animam suam, perdet illam : et qui perdiderit animan suam propter me, inveniet eam.

 40 He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.Qui recipit vos, me recipit : et qui me recipit, recipit eum qui me misit.

 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.Qui recipit prophetam in nomine prophetae, mercedem prophetae accipiet : et qui recipit justum in nomine justi, mercedem justi accipiet.

 42 And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.Et quicumque potum dederit uni ex minimis istis calicem aquae frigidae tantum in nomine discipuli : amen dico vobis, non perdet mercedem suam.

[35] "I came to set a man at variance": Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him.

St Wenceslaus was the duke of Bohemia. He was persecuted by his mother Drahomira and his brother and successor, Boleslas, out of hatred for the Faith. He was murdered by his brother in a church where he was praying A.D. 938.

 1 And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city.
Et ascendens in naviculam, transfretavit, et venit in civitatem suam.

 2 And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Et ecce offerebant ei paralyticum jacentem in lecto. Et videns Jesus fidem illorum, dixit paralytico : Confide fili, remittuntur tibi peccata tua.

 3 And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth.
Et ecce quidam de scribis dixerunt intra se : Hic blasphemat.

 4 And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Et cum vidisset Jesus cogitationes eorum, dixit : Ut quid cogitatis mala in cordibus vestris?

 5 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?
Quid est facilius dicere : Dimittuntur tibi peccata tua : an dicere : Surge, et ambula?

 6 But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
Ut autem sciatis, quia Filius hominis habet potestatem in terra dimittendi peccata, tunc ait paralytico : Surge, tolle lectum tuum, et vade in domum tuam.

 7 And he arose, and went into his house.
Et surrexit, et abiit in domum suam.

 8 And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.
Videntes autem turbae timuerunt, et glorificaverunt Deum, qui dedit potestatem talem hominibus.

17 And coming down with them, he stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon,
Et descendens cum illis, stetit in loco campestri, et turba discipulorum ejus, et multitudo copiosa plebis ab omni Judaea, et Jerusalem, et maritima, et Tyri, et Sidonis,

 18 Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured.
qui venerant ut audirent eum, et sanarentur a languoribus suis. Et qui vexabantur a spiritibus immundis, curabantur.

 19 And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all.
Et omnis turba quaerebat eum tangere : quia virtus de illo exibat, et sanabat omnes.

 20 And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Et ipse elevatis oculis in discipulis suis, dicebat : Beati pauperes, quia vestrum est regnum Dei.

 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
Beati qui nunc esuritis, quia saturabimini. Beati qui nunc fletis, quia ridebitis.

 22 Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Beati eritis cum vos oderint homines, et cum separaverint vos, et exprobraverint, et ejicerint nomen vestrum tamquam malum propter Filium hominis.

 23 Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
Gaudete in illa die, et exsultate : ecce enim merces vestra multa est in caelo : secundum haec enim faciebant prophetis patres eorum.