First Reading

Reading from the Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 31, 1-7

“At that time, says the Lord,
I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel
and they shall be my people.

The people of Israel, who escaped the sword,
found mercy in the desert
and walk toward rest;
the Lord appeared to them from afar’’.

This is what the Lord says:
“I love you with an everlasting love,
therefore I always have compassion on you.
I will rebuild you again
and you shall be rebuilt, capital of Israel.
You will again play your tambourines
and go out dancing among musicians and choirs;
you will again plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria
and those who plant them will enjoy their fruit.
On the mountain of Ephraim the watchmen will cry out:
‘It is already day! Get up and let us go to Zion,
to the Lord, our God!’ ”

This is what the Lord says:
“Shout for joy over Jacob,
rejoice over the best of the peoples;
proclaim, praise, and say:
‘The Lord has saved his people,
the remnant of Israel’ ”.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 15, 21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then a Canaanite woman came out to meet him and began to cry out: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is terribly tormented by a demon.” Jesus did not answer her a single word; but the disciples came to him and begged him: “Attend to her, for she keeps crying out behind us.” He answered them: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

She then approached Jesus and, kneeling before him, said: “Lord, help me!” He replied: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” But she answered: “Yes, Lord; yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus replied: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And at that very moment her daughter was healed.