First Reading

Reading from the prophecy of Amos

Amos 5, 14-15. 21-24

Thus says the Lord:
“Seek good and not evil, that you may live,
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you yourselves have said.
Hate evil and love good,
establish justice in the courts;
perhaps then the Lord, the God of hosts,
will have pity on the remnant of Joseph.

I despise and reject your feasts,
I take no pleasure in your solemnities.
Even if you offer me burnt offerings,
I will not accept your sacrifices
nor look with favor on your offerings of fattened calves.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I do not want to hear the music of your harps.
Let justice flow like water
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’’.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 8, 28-34

At that time, when Jesus came to the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men came out from the tombs and met him. They were so violent that no one dared to pass that way. The demon-possessed men shouted at Jesus: “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”

Not far from there was a large herd of pigs feeding. The demons begged Jesus: “If you are going to drive us out, send us into those pigs.” He replied: “Go.”

Then the demons came out of the men and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

Those tending the pigs ran off to the town and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.