First Reading

First reading

Reading from the book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 20, 10-13

At that time, Jeremiah said:
«I heard the people whispering, saying:
‘Let us denounce Jeremiah,
let us denounce the prophet of terror’.
All my friends were spying on my steps,
waiting for me to stumble and fall, saying:
‘If he stumbles and falls, we will overcome him
and we will be able to take revenge on him’.

But the Lord, mighty warrior, is at my side;
therefore my persecutors will fall to the ground
and will not prevail against me;
they will be ashamed of their failure
and their disgrace will be eternal and unforgettable.

Lord of hosts, who tests the just
and knows the depths of hearts,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.

Sing and praise the Lord,
for he has saved the life of his poor one
from the hand of the wicked».

Second reading

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

Romans 5, 12-15

Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin death, and thus death came to all, because all sinned.

Before the law of Moses, sin already existed in the world, and although it is true that sin is not punished when there is no law, nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses even over those who did not sin as Adam did, when he disobeyed a direct command of God. Moreover, Adam was a figure of Christ, who was to come.

Now, the gift of God far surpasses the offense. For if by the sin of one man all were condemned to death, by the gift of one man, Jesus Christ, the abundance of life and the grace of God has overflowed upon all.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 10, 26-33

At that time, Jesus said to his apostles: «Do not be afraid of men. There is nothing hidden that will not be discovered; there is nothing secret that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, repeat in broad daylight, and what I tell you in your ear, proclaim from the rooftops.

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Fear rather the one who can cast both soul and body into the place of punishment.

Are not two sparrows sold for a coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you, even the hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore do not be afraid; you are worth much more than all the birds of the world.

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father in heaven».