First Reading

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

2 Thessalonians 2, 1-3. 14-17

Brothers and sisters: As for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our meeting with him, we beg you not to be easily disturbed. Do not be alarmed either by supposed revelations or by words or letters attributed to us, which might lead you to think that the day of the Lord is imminent. Let no one deceive you in any way.

God has called you so that, through the Gospel we have preached to you, you may attain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teaching we have handed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and given us freely an eternal comfort and a blessed hope, comfort your hearts and make you ready for every good work and every good word.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 23, 23-26

At that time, Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you pay tithe of mint, anise and cummin, but neglect the weightier matters of the law, which are justice, mercy and faithfulness! These are the things you should have practiced, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who clean the outside of the cup and the plate, while inside they remain full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, and then the outside will also be clean.”