First Reading

First reading

Reading from the book of Sirach 15:15-20

Sirach 15:16-21

If you wish, you can keep the commandments;
remaining faithful to them is up to you.
The Lord has placed fire and water before you;
stretch out your hand to whichever you choose.
Before man are life and death;
whichever he chooses will be given to him.

The Lord’s wisdom is infinite;
his power is immense, and he sees everything.
The Lord’s eyes look favorably
upon those who fear him;
the Lord knows all the works of man.
He has commanded no one to be impious
and given no one permission to sin.
 

Second reading

Reading from the first letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians 

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Brothers and sisters: We do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which God ordained before the world for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written:
«What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him»—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 

Matthew 5:20-22, 27-28, 33-37

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.»