First Reading

Reading from the first book of Kings 

1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30

On the day of the dedication of the temple, Solomon, standing before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, raised his hands to heaven and said this prayer:

«Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, neither above in the heavens nor below here on earth. You are faithful to the covenant you made with your servants, and you show them your mercy when they fulfill your will wholeheartedly.

If even the infinite heaven cannot contain you, how is it possible, Lord, that you live in the midst of men and dwell in this house that I have built for you? But certainly attend to the prayer of your servant and his plea, Lord, my God, and hear the cry and the prayer that your servant makes today before you: May your eyes be open night and day upon this temple, upon this place, of which you have said: ‘I will be there.’ Hear the prayer that your servant addresses to you in this place.

Hear, then, Lord, the supplication of your servant and of your people, Israel. When they pray in this place, listen to them from heaven, where you have your dwelling. Hear us and forgive us».

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark 

Mark 7:1-13

At that time, the Pharisees and some scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, approached Jesus. Seeing that some of Jesus’ disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without having washed them, the Pharisees and the scribes asked him: «Why do your disciples eat with unclean hands and not follow the tradition of our elders?» (The Pharisees and the Jews in general do not eat without first washing their hands up to the elbows, following the tradition of their elders; when they return from the market, they do not eat without first performing the ablutions, and they observe many other things by tradition, such as purifying cups, pitchers, and pots).

Jesus answered them: «Isaiah prophesied well about you hypocrites when he wrote: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. The worship they offer me is useless, because they teach doctrines that are nothing but human precepts. You set aside the commandment of God to cling to the traditions of men».

Then he added: «You are truly very clever in violating the commandment of God to preserve your tradition. Because Moses said: Honor your father and your mother. Whoever curses his father or mother shall die. But you say: ‘If one says to his father or mother: Everything with which I could help you is corban (that is, an offering for the temple), he can no longer do anything for his father or mother.’ Thus you nullify the word of God with that tradition that you have transmitted. And you do many things similar to this».