First Reading

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

2 Corinthians 4, 7-15

Brothers and sisters: We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may be clear that this extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. Therefore we endure every kind of hardship, yet we are not distressed. We are afflicted, but not crushed. We are persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry about in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. Our life is constantly being handed over to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. Thus death is at work in us, and life in you.

And since we have the same spirit of faith as the one expressed in the Scripture passage: I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that, as grace spreads to more and more people, thanksgiving may overflow for the glory of God.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 20, 20-28

At that time, the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and knelt to make a request. He asked her, «What do you wish?» She answered, «Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.» Jesus replied, «You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am to drink?» They said, «We can.» He responded, «You will indeed drink my chalice, but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant; it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.»

When the other ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them and said, «You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. It shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.»