First Reading

Reading from the book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 30, 1-2. 12-15. 18-22

These words were addressed to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you’ ”.

“This is what the Lord says:
‘Your wound is incurable,
your injury beyond healing.
There is no one to plead your cause,
no remedy for your sore,
no healing for you.

All your allies have forgotten you;
they care nothing for you.
I have struck you as an enemy would,
and punished you as would the cruel,
because of your guilt, so great, so many your sins.
Why cry out over your wound?
Your pain is incurable.
Because of your guilt, so great, so many your sins,
I have done this to you’ ”.

“This is what the Lord says:
‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.
From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.

I will add to their number, and they will not be few;
I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.
Their children will be as in days of old,
and their community will be established before me;
I will punish all who oppress them.

Their leader will be one of their own;
their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me;
for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’
declares the Lord.
‘So you will be my people,
and I will be your God’ ”.

Gospel

Reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Matthew
15,1-2.10-14

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” 12Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”