Mass Reading - Sunday, 27th October 2019

First Reading
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus   35:12-14.16-19
The humble man's prayer pierces the clouds.

The Lord is a judge who is no respecter of personages. He shows
no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man,
he listens to the plea of the injured party. He does not ignore the
orphan's supplication, nor the widow's as she pours out her story.
The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted,
His petitions will carry to the clouds. The humble man’s prayer
pierces the clouds, until it arrives he is inconsolable nor will he
desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the virtuous
and delivers judgement.
And the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be dilatory on their
behalf.

The Word of the Lord 


Responsorial Psalm   Psalm   33:2-3.17-19
Response: This poor man called; the Lord heard him.

1. I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.  Response

2. The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth,
The just call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress.  Response

3. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.
Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.  Response



Second Reading
A reading from the 2nd letter of St Paul to Timothy   4:6-8.16-18
All there us to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for
me.

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time
has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the
end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there
is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day;
and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his
Appearing. The first time I had to present my defence, there was
not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me
- may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by
me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message
might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was
rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil
attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To
him be glory for ever and ever, Amen.

The Word of the Lord.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION  Matthew  11:25

Alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing
the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.

Alleluia!



Gospel Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14
The publican went home at rights with God; the pharisee did not.

Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided
themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else. 'Two
men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a
tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to
himself, "I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust,
adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not
like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I
get." The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring
even to raise his eyes to heaven but he beat his breast and said,
"God, be merciful to me, a sinner." This man, I tell you, went home
again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who
exalts themselves will be humbled, but the man who humbles
himself will be exalted.'

The Gospel of the Lord.