First Reading

Reading from the letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Ephesians 6, 10-20

Brothers and sisters: Draw strength from the Lord and from his invincible power. Use the weapons God has given you, so that you may resist the devil’s schemes. For we are not fighting against human forces, but against the spiritual and superhuman forces of evil that dominate and rule this world of darkness.

Therefore, to resist in difficult times and remain ultimately victorious, put on the armor of God: let truth always be your belt; justice, your breastplate; readiness to proclaim the Gospel of peace, your footwear; let faith always serve as your shield to protect you and extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil enemy; put on the helmet of salvation and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And, with the help of the Holy Spirit, pray and supplicate continually. Keep watch in prayer constantly for the whole Christian people and also for me, so that God may grant me the freedom to speak and proclaim the mystery of Christ contained in the Gospel, of which I am an ambassador, even though I am in chains

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke

Luke 13, 31-35

At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and said to him: “Leave this place, because Herod wants to kill you.”

He replied: “Go and tell that fox that I will keep driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and that on the third day I will finish my work. Nevertheless, today, tomorrow, and the day after, I must continue on my way, because it is not fitting for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill and stone the prophets God sends you! How many times I have wanted to gather your children, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!

Therefore, your house will be left abandoned. I tell you that you will not see me again until the day you say: ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”