First Reading

First reading

Reading from the Book of Exodus

Exodus 19:2-6a

In those days, the people of Israel set out from Rephidim, arrived at the desert of Sinai, and camped in front of the mountain. Moses went up the mountain to speak with God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said to him: “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob, this is what you shall announce to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen how I punished the Egyptians and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now then, if you listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special treasure among all peoples, although the whole earth is mine. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a consecrated nation’ ”.

Second reading

Reading from the Letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Romans

Romans 5:6-11

Brothers and sisters: When we were still powerless to escape from sin, Christ died for sinners at the appointed time. Scarcely will anyone be willing to die for a righteous person, though perhaps someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Therefore, now that we have been justified by his blood, how much more will we be saved through him from the final judgment. For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, now that we are reconciled, will we be saved by sharing in the life of his Son. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Gospel

Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 9:36—10:8

At that time, when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were weary and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the owner of the harvest to send workers to his fields”.

Afterward, calling his twelve disciples, he gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to cure every kind of disease and illness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, sons of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus sent these twelve with the following instructions: “Do not go to the land of the Gentiles or enter the cities of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Go and proclaim along the way that the Kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the lepers and the sick; raise the dead and drive out demons. You have received this power freely; therefore, give it freely”.