First Reading

Reading from the first letter of the apostle Saint Paul to the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 7, 25-31

Dear brothers and sisters: Regarding the unmarried, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

I think that in view of the present distress, it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Brothers and sisters, I tell you this: time is short. Therefore, those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if they had nothing; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke

Luke 6, 20-26

At that time, Jesus looked at his disciples and said:
«Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.»